TY - JOUR
T1 - Aprepitant Restores Corneal Sensitivity and Reduces Pain in DED
AU - Bonelli, Filippo
AU - Campestre, Fabiola
AU - Lasagni Vitar, Romina Mayra
AU - Demirsoy, Ibrahim Halil
AU - Fonteyne, Philippe
AU - Ferrari, Giulio
PY - 2024/2/1
Y1 - 2024/2/1
N2 - PURPOSE: This study aims to assess the efficacy of two aprepitant formulations (X1 and X2), in a preclinical model of dry eye disease (DED) induced by benzalkonium chloride (BAK). METHODS: Two aprepitant formulations were tested on 7 to 8-week-old male mice for their efficacy. In vivo corneal fluorescein staining assessed epithelial damage as the primary end point on days 0, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, and 14 using slit-lamp microscopy. The DED model was induced with 0.2% BAK twice daily for the first week and once daily for the next week. Mice were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups: Aprepitant X1 (n = 10) and X2 (n = 10) formulation, 2 mg/mL dexamethasone (n = 10), control vehicle X (n = 10), 0.2% hyaluronic acid (n = 10), or no treatment (n = 10). Eye wiping, phenol red, and Cochet Bonnet tests assessed ocular pain, tear fluid secretion, and nerve function. After 7 days, the mice were euthanized to quantify leukocyte infiltration and corneal nerve density. RESULTS: Topical aprepitant X1 reduced BAK-induced corneal damage and pain compared to gel vehicle X (P = 0.007) and dexamethasone (P = 0.021). Aprepitant X1 and X2 improved corneal sensitivity versus gel vehicle X and dexamethasone (P < 0.001). Aprepitant X1 reduced leukocyte infiltration (P < 0.05) and enhanced corneal nerve density (P < 0.001). Tear fluid secretion remained statistically unchanged in both the X1 and X2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Aprepitant formulation X1 reduced pain, improved corneal sensitivity and nerve density, ameliorated epitheliopathy, and reduced leukocyte infiltration in male mouse corneas. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: Aprepitant emerges as a safe, promising therapeutic prospect for the amelioration of DED's associated symptoms.
AB - PURPOSE: This study aims to assess the efficacy of two aprepitant formulations (X1 and X2), in a preclinical model of dry eye disease (DED) induced by benzalkonium chloride (BAK). METHODS: Two aprepitant formulations were tested on 7 to 8-week-old male mice for their efficacy. In vivo corneal fluorescein staining assessed epithelial damage as the primary end point on days 0, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, and 14 using slit-lamp microscopy. The DED model was induced with 0.2% BAK twice daily for the first week and once daily for the next week. Mice were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups: Aprepitant X1 (n = 10) and X2 (n = 10) formulation, 2 mg/mL dexamethasone (n = 10), control vehicle X (n = 10), 0.2% hyaluronic acid (n = 10), or no treatment (n = 10). Eye wiping, phenol red, and Cochet Bonnet tests assessed ocular pain, tear fluid secretion, and nerve function. After 7 days, the mice were euthanized to quantify leukocyte infiltration and corneal nerve density. RESULTS: Topical aprepitant X1 reduced BAK-induced corneal damage and pain compared to gel vehicle X (P = 0.007) and dexamethasone (P = 0.021). Aprepitant X1 and X2 improved corneal sensitivity versus gel vehicle X and dexamethasone (P < 0.001). Aprepitant X1 reduced leukocyte infiltration (P < 0.05) and enhanced corneal nerve density (P < 0.001). Tear fluid secretion remained statistically unchanged in both the X1 and X2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Aprepitant formulation X1 reduced pain, improved corneal sensitivity and nerve density, ameliorated epitheliopathy, and reduced leukocyte infiltration in male mouse corneas. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: Aprepitant emerges as a safe, promising therapeutic prospect for the amelioration of DED's associated symptoms.
KW - Male
KW - Mice
KW - Animals
KW - Aprepitant/pharmacology
KW - Cornea
KW - Fluorescein
KW - Pain
KW - Dexamethasone/pharmacology therapeutic use
U2 - 10.1167/tvst.13.2.9
DO - 10.1167/tvst.13.2.9
M3 - Article
SN - 2164-2591
VL - 13
SP - 9
JO - Translational Vision Science & Technology
JF - Translational Vision Science & Technology
IS - 2
ER -