Effects of epinephrine on retinal and choroidal blood flow through different routes of drug administration.
Epinephrine (1, 3 and 10 micrograms/kg) was found to increase retinal and choroidal blood flow (22, 49 and 67%) when it was administered intravenously. The increase in retinal and choroidal blood flow coincided well with the increase in systemic blood pressure (44, 65 and 96%, respectively). When epinephrine (2%) was instilled to the eyes topically the retinal and choroidal blood flow decreased (15%) while systemic blood pressure remained unchanged. It is suggested that the decrease in retinal and choroidal blood flow by topical epinephrine could be the cause of epinephrine maculopathy reported previously. L-Timolol (0.25%, topically) did not affect retinal and choroidal blood flow significantly.
Chiou
G C
GC
Department of Medical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Texas A & M University College of Medicine.
Girgis
Z
Z
Chiou
F Y
FY
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D011817:Rabbits; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000187:drug effects*; D013999:Timolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
D013999:Timolol; D004837:Epinephrine