Terbutaline stimulates aqueous humor flow in humans during sleep.
A randomized, double-masked study of the effect of terbutaline sulfate, a selective beta 2-agonist, on the rate of aqueous humor formation was performed in awake and sleeping normal human subjects. The rate of aqueous formation was measured by fluorophotometry. Both the drug- and placebo-treated eyes showed a statistically significant nocturnal reduction of the flow rate (36% suppression in the terbutaline-treated eyes and 43% suppression in the placebo-treated eyes). Terbutaline had no effect on daytime aqueous flow rates, but stimulated flow by 15% during sleep. The drug had no significant effect on intraocular pressure. This study confirms past observations that beta-agonists exert their maximal effects during sleep, when endogenous adrenergic stimulation is at a minimum.
Gharagozloo
N Z
NZ
Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Larson
R S
RS
Kullerstrand
L J
LJ
Brubaker
R F
RF
D000328:Adult; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D002199:Capillary Permeability; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005123:Eye / Q000098:blood supply; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D013726:Terbutaline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*
D013726:Terbutaline