title: Effects of acetylcholine, carbachol, and mannitol on rabbit corneal endothelial function as assessed by corneal deturgescence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anterior chamber miotic solutions are widely used in ophthalmic surgery to induce pupillary contraction. We investigated whether the acetylcholine, carbachol, or mannitol present in perfusing solutions can affect corneal endothelial function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Freshly dissected deepithelized rabbit corneas were mounted in a Dikstein-Maurice chamber at 36 degrees C. The endothelial sides were perfused with six solutions: (A) 55 mM (1%) acetylcholine Cl plus modified balanced salts; (B) control for A, with acetylcholine Cl replaced by sucrose; (C) 0.55 mM (0.01%) carbachol Cl plus balanced salts; (D) balanced salts solution (BS; control for C); (E) 3% mannitol plus modified balanced salts; and (F) modified balanced salts (control for E, with mannitol replaced by sucrose). Corneal thickness was followed for 3 h in each experiment. The effect of solution E did not differ from that of solution F.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The carbachol-containing solution produced a small increase in corneal thickness compared to the control solution, while the acetylcholine-containing solution resulted in corneal thickness lower than that in control preparations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From these data, acetylcholine is harmless to the endothelium, and may actually stimulate its fluid pump mechanism. Carbachol, on the other hand, appears to have a detrimental effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Akiyama
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kuang
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Chiaradía
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fischbarg
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001693:Biological Transport, Active / Q000187:drug effects; D002217:Carbachol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004234:Diuretics, Osmotic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008353:Mannitol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008916:Miotics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010477:Perfusion; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D004234:Diuretics, Osmotic; D008916:Miotics; D008353:Mannitol; D002217:Carbachol; D000109:Acetylcholine