[The role of lysosomal enzymes in adjuvant-induced uveitis in rabbits (author's transl)].

Acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase were used as marker enzymes of lysosome, and their role in adjuvant-induced uveitis was studied. These enzyme activities in the iris-ciliary processes were increased in the inflamed tissues. Changes in these enzyme activities in the tissues paralleled the development of uveitis. While protein concentration in the aqueous humor as a parameter of vascular permeability was significantly correlated with these enzyme activities, there was no correlation in the leucocyte counts in the aqueous humor. Topically applied dexamethasone reduced the increase in the aqueous protein, the leucocyte migration and the swelling of the iris-ciliary processes, while topically applied indomethacin reduced only the leucocyte migration among these inflammatory parameters. Acid phosphatase activities in the inflamed tissues were reduced also by dexamethasone, but not by indomethacin.