Objective. To reveal the impact of acetylcysteine (NAC) and dexamethasone parenteral administration in the form of their monotherapy and combined application on the indicators of lipid peroxygenation processes (LPO) and antioxidant defense system in the eye tissues of the rabbits with experimental immunogenic uveitis (EIU).

Materials and methods. The experimental study was carried out on 45 rabbits (90 eyes). 5 healthy rabbits served as a control group for biochemical parameters. EIU was simulated in 40 rabbits. Experimental animals were divided into 8 groups (5 animals each). The first 4 groups received, respectively, daily intramuscular injections of placebo, NAC, dexamethasone or combination of NAC and dexamethasone for 3 days, after that they were excided from the experiment. The remaining 4 groups received identical therapy for 7 days, after that they were excided from the experiment. Subsequently, LPO parameters (diene conjugates, triene conjugates, malondialdehyde) and antioxidant protection system (reduced glutathione, oxidized glutathione and their ratio, superoxide dismutase, catalase and total antioxidant activity) were evaluated in the eye tissues of the rabbits.

Results. EIU in the rabbits was accompanied by a significant elevation of lipid peroxidation products in the eye tissues, progressive depletion and decompensation of local antioxidant defense systems, and a significant decrease in the level of reduced glutathione in the eye tissues. NAC parenteral administration resulted in a distinct antioxidant effect on the eye tissues in the rabbits with EIU. Combined NAC and dexamethasone therapy revealed their synergistic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect.

Conclusion. EIU in rabbits is accompanied by a progressive decompensation of antioxidant defense systems and a significant decrease of reduced glutathione in the eye tissues. NAC has a pronounced antioxidant effect on eye tissues in rabbits with EIU. Combined therapy with NAC and dexamethasone revealed their synergistic action. Thus, NAC can be recommended for use in the complex therapy of uveitis.