Decreased intraocular pressure induced by nitric oxide donors is correlated to nitrite production in the rabbit eye.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of intraocular administration of nitric oxide (NO) donors in the rabbit eye on intraocular pressure (IOP), inflammation, and toxicity.


METHODS
Intravitreal and intracameral injections of two NO donors, SIN-1 and SNAP, and SIN-1C and BSS were performed. Clinical examination, IOP measurements, protein evaluation in aqueous humor, and histologic analysis of the ocular globes were realized. Nitric oxide release was demonstrated by nitrite production in the aqueous humor and in the vitreous using the Griess reaction.


RESULTS
The drastic decrease of IOP, observed after a single NO donor injection, was correlated directly with nitrite production and, thus, to NO release. Injection of inactive metabolite of SIN-1, SIN-1C, which is not able to release NO, did not modulate IOP. When administered in the aqueous humor or in the vitreous, NO did not diffuse from one segment of the eye to another. No inflammation or histologic damage was observed as a result of a single NO donor administration.


CONCLUSIONS
Nitric oxide is implicated directly in the regulation of IOP and its acute, and massive release into the rabbit eye did not induce inflammation or other growth toxic effects on the ocular tissues.
Behar-Cohen
F F
FF
Laboratoire de développement, vieillissement et pathologie de la rétine INSERM U450, Paris, France.
Goureau
O
O
D'Hermies
F
F
Courtois
Y
Y
D000097:Acetonitriles / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005123:Eye / Q000378:metabolism*; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007267:Injections; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D008981:Molsidomine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009025:Morpholines / Q000494:pharmacology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000378:metabolism*; D015814:Ocular Hypotension / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010396:Penicillamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D026423:S-Nitroso-N-Acetylpenicillamine; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
D000097:Acetonitriles; D005136:Eye Proteins; D009025:Morpholines; D009573:Nitrites; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; C093946:SIN 1C; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C002385:linsidomine; D026423:S-Nitroso-N-Acetylpenicillamine; D008981:Molsidomine; D010396:Penicillamine