The ocular protective effects of PLGA nanoparticles loaded with lutein, in fat diet Wistar rats, treated with sistemic glucocorticoids

Introduction. The carotene lutein is found in ocular layers and has powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties. Posterior subcapsular cataract develops after prolonged glucocorticoid use. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PLGA-NPs) is one of the most successfully developed biodegradable polymer used as antioxidant delivery system. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the ocular protective effects of PLGA -NPs loaded with lutein, in Wistar rats, on fat diet, treated with systemic glucocorticoids. Materials and methods. Healty Wistar male rats (n= 25, 12 months aged) were divided in 5 equal groups. the control group (S) with standard diet and no treatment and groups with Prednison treatment (1 mg/kg body weight), with and without PLGA-NPs loaded with lutein (1 mg/kg body weight), fed either with standard or fat diet. The duration of treatment was 6 weeks and it was done by gavaje. The eye examination was done by two ophtalmologists as a blind test and photos of the eyes were made. Serum metabolic parameters were measured. The rats treated with Prednison developed cataract and uveitis and the most severe injured eye was observed in the group with high caloric fat diet and no lutein as a supplement. Also, Prednison treatment produced dysglycaemia and dyslipidemia. The co-administration of lutein as PLGA-NPs with Prednison prevented the lens, retina and choroidal injuries, reduced the increased levels of glycaemia, triglyceridemia and increased the serum total antioxidant capacity. Conclusion. The PLGA lutein nanoparticles assured global eye protection, reducing the ocular side effects of prednison.