Inflammation is the main cause of corneal and
retinal damage in an ocular
alkali burn (OAB). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of
tauroursodeoxycholic acid (
TUDCA) on ocular
inflammation in a mouse model of an OAB. An OAB was induced in C57BL/6j mouse corneas by using 1 M NaOH.
TUDCA (400 mg/kg) or PBS was injected intraperitoneally (IP) once a day for 3 days prior to establishing the OAB model. A single injection of
Infliximab (6.25 mg/kg) was administered IP immediately after the OAB. The
TUDCA suppressed the infiltration of the CD45-positive cells and decreased the
mRNA and
protein levels of the upregulated TNF-α and IL-1β in the cornea and retina of the OAB. Furthermore, the
TUDCA treatment inhibited the
retinal glial activation after an OAB. The
TUDCA treatment not only ameliorated CNV and promoted corneal re-epithelization but also attenuated the RGC apoptosis and preserved the
retinal structure after the OAB. Finally, the
TUDCA reduced the expression of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress molecules, IRE1,
GRP78 and CHOP, in the
retinal tissues of the OAB mice. The present study demonstrated that the
TUDCA inhibits ocular
inflammation and protects the cornea and retina from injury in an OAB mouse model. These results provide a potential therapeutic intervention for the treatment of an OAB.