ABSTRACT
AIM: To investigate the relationship between the level of interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumour necrosis factor-?(TNF-?) and nitric oxide (NO) in aqueous humor after intraocular lens implantation. METHODS: New Zealand rabbits were divided randomly into three groups: (1)control group; (2)extracapsular cataract extraction group (ECCE); (3)extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation group (ECCE+IOL). The inflammation in all experimental rabbit eyes was observed via zoom-photo slit-lamp microscope on 1, 3, 7, 14 d and 30 d postoperation. Meanwhile, aqueous humor was drawn for white blood cell(WBC) counting and classifying , and for determining IL-2, TNF-? and NO 2 -/NO 3 - contents.RESULTS: (1)The level of IL-2 and TNF-? and NO 2 - / NO 3 - in aqueous humor of ECCE+IOL group were higher than that in ECCE and control at 1 to 14 days postoperation, respectively, it increased to peak value at 3 to 7 days postoperation and decreased gradually two weeks postoperation; (2) The changes in IL-2, TNF-? and NO 2 -/NO 3 - in each group were basically similer; (3) The changes of IL-2 and TNF-? level were closely related with NO content in aqueous humor( r=0.69, P