Philip Penford

　　澳大利亚国立大学

　　Glucocorticoids，in particular triamcinolone acetonide(TA)，are widely used to treat exudative and inflammatory retinal disorders.Blood-retinal-barrier(BRB)function is a major factor influencing both the physiological and immunological status of the retina.This presentation will examine the effects of glucocorticoids&mineralocorticoids on BRB function.We show that TA has the potential to influence cell permeability&adhesion molecule expression at both the inner and outer BRB.The influence of mineralocorticoids on the expression of genes involved in angiogenesis was also investigated，VEGF expression was inhibited while PEDF expression was promoted post administration of fludrocortisone.These observations contribute to the rationale for the use of steroids in treating a number of‘wet’retinal diseases including diabetic retinopathy and exudative macular degeneration.