Effects of betamethasone and diclofenac-Na on sulfur mustard induced conjunctival epithelial and goblet cells injuries of rabbits in acute phase

Sulfur mustard, Bis [2-chlorethyl] sulfide (HD), is one of the first chemical warfare agents to be used on a large scale. Anti inflammatory treatments might have the potential to prevent some aspects of the primary development of HD-induced lesions. The aim of the present study was to evaluate treatment effects of topically applied betamethasone (B) and diclofenac-Na (D) on the conjunctival epithelial lesions following HD exposure.

A total of 36 rabbits were used. Animals were randomly divided to three control groups: (1) normal (2) solution (3) HD and three experimental groups: (4) betamethasone (5) diclofenac-Na and (6) betamethasone-diclofenac-Na (BD). In each group six animals were examined. Right eye of all animals was selected for experiment. In the experimental groups betamethasone and diclofenac-Na were applied after using HD solution. Application of drugs was performed 3 times a day for 2 weeks. Slit-lamp examinations were performed before exposure and subsequently at days 1, 2, 5, 7, and 14 by professional ophthalmologists. Animals were sacrificed after two weeks with chloroform. The eyes were enucleated. Specimens of palpebra were obtained for histological examination.

There was not any significant difference between normal and solution groups. HD caused a significant decrease in goblet cells and cell infiltration in conjunctiva, injection and chemosis. All experimental groups were better than the HD group. Betamethasone in combination with diclofenac-Na was more effective than betamethasone and diclofenac-Na alone in decreasing eye injuries.

Combination of betamethasone and diclofenac-Na are potential candidates for the treatment of ocular lesions following HD exposure.