title: Corticotropin-releasing factor and intraocular pressure.
abstract: The effect of centrally administered corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) on intraocular pressure (IOP) was investigated using the technique of ventriculocisternal perfusion. Various amounts of ovine CRF (0.01, 0.033, 0.1 and 0.33 micrograms/min) were perfused in conscious, male New Zealand albino rabbits for 1 hour. At a dose level of 0.1 or 0.33 micrograms/min, CRF caused an acute IOP decrease of 2.5 mmHg, which lasted for 30 min. Perfusions with CRF at 0.033 micrograms/min or higher caused delayed ocular hypotension, which began 20 hours after the perfusion and lasted for 2 days. Bolus intravenous injection of 3.3 micrograms CRF did not cause any IOP changes. These findings demonstrate that CRF can cause a centrally mediated IOP response. Superior cervical ganglionectomy eliminated the acute, not the delayed, CRF effect on IOP, indicating the involvement of ocular sympathetic nerves in the acute IOP effect.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D010477:Perfusion / Q000379:methods; D011817:Rabbits; D013562:Sympathectomy; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; D003345:Corticosterone