The corticosteroids have come to be widely used in ophthalmology since the introduction of cortisone and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in 1949. Althugh the glucocoticoids are given by the ophtalmologist for their anti-inflammatory effect, they produce many other side effects.
This study was performed to investigate the changes of T lymphocyte subsets to evaluate the immune activity of cataract patients after prednisolone systemic administration.
Peripheral blood lymphocytes were obtained from 13 cataract patients before prednisolone administration, after its administration and after its discontinuance. These cells were incubated with a panel of lymphocyte specific monoclonal antibodies and then CD4+ helper and CD8+ suppressor T cells were measured by flow cytometer.
The results were obtained as follows
After prednisolone administration, CD4} helper T cell, CD8+ suppressor T cell, and total T . Cell (CD3´) were decreased, and CD4}/CD8+ ratio was increased than those before prednisolone administration. After prednisolone discontinuance, CD4+ helper T cell, CD8+ suppressor T cell, total T cell (CD3+) and CD4+/CD8+ ratio were increased than those after prednisolone administration. There was no statistically significant difference between above results mentioned.
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