Purpose: To determine the anti-inflammatory effect of quercetin (QCT),
resveratrol (RES), and their combination in a dry eye disease (DED) model.
Methods: DED was induced by exposing mice to a desiccating stress (DS);
0.01%QCT, 0.1%RES, 0.01%QCT+0.1%RES (QCT+RES) or vehicle were
topically applied. Additionally, CD4+ T cells isolated from DS-exposed mice
were transferred to athymic recipient mice. Corneal fluorescein staining, tear
production and tear cytokine levels were evaluated in DS-exposed mice, and
conjunctival CD4+ T cell infiltration was evaluated in recipient mice.
Results: Corneal staining increased in DS-exposed mice, being reduced by
QCT (p<0.001) and QCT+RES (p<0.05). DS induced an increase of IL-1α
concentration that was reduced by QCT, RES and QCT+RES (p<0.05, 0.01 and
0.01, respectively). CD4+ T cells increased in recipients of DS-exposed mice
(p<0.05), and was lower in recipients of QCT- and RES-treated mice (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The anti-inflammatory effect of polyphenols suggests their topical
application for DED.
