Methods for treating ocular inflammatory disorders

Abstract

Provided are methods for treating ocular inflammatory disorders, including macular edema, using an AMP kinase activator, e.g., 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-d-ribofuranoside (AICAR). The method reduces inflammation, thereby minimizing the loss of vision or visual function associated with these ocular disorders.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating macular edema in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising:
 administering AICAR or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof to the subject in an amount sufficient to ameliorate a symptom of the macular edema.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the macular edema occurs as a result of age-related macular degeneration, cataract surgery, diabetes, drug toxicity, eye injury, retinal vein occlusion, or other inflammatory eye diseases. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the macular edema occurs as a result of cataract surgery or diabetes. 
     
     
         4 . A method of treating autoimmune uveitis or uveitis associated with type II, type III, type IV, or type V hypersensitivity reactions in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising:
 administering AICAR or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof to the subject in an amount sufficient to ameliorate a symptom of the uveitis.   
     
     
         5 . A method of treating endophthalmitis in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising:
 administering 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-d-ribofuranoside (AICAR) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof to the subject in an amount sufficient to ameliorate a symptom of the endophthalmitis.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the endophthalmitis is the exogenous form. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the endophthalmitis is the endogenous form. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 500 mg/kg of AICAR or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof is administered. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 200 mg/kg of AICAR or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof is administered. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein about 0.5 mg/kg to about 100 mg/kg of AICAR or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof is administered. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein about 1 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg of AICAR or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof is administered. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the AICAR or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof is administered to the eye. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the AICAR or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof is administered by intraocular injection. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the AICAR or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof is administered intravitreally. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the AICAR or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof is administered systemically.