Vasorelaxing properties of carteolol in isolated porcine ciliary arteries.
BACKGROUND
Carteolol is a topical beta-blocker used in ophthalmology to decrease the intraocular pressure. This study investigates the vasoactive effect of carteolol in isolated porcine ciliary processes.


METHODS
With a myograph system isometric force measurements, quiescent vessels or vessels either precontracted with endothelin-1 (0.03 microM) or the thromboxane A2 analog U 46619 (0.3 microM) were exposed, in cumulative manner, to increasing concentrations of carteolol (10 microM-3 mM). Vessels that had a functional endothelium were compared with vessels that had a non functional endothelium (intentionally and mechanically damaged).


RESULTS
In quiescent vessels carteolol did not induce contractions. In contrast, in precontracted arteries, carteolol evoked marked relaxations which were endothelium-independent.


CONCLUSIONS
In vitro, carteolol has a marked vasorelaxing effect on porcine ciliary arteries, however the clinical relevance of this observation for the care of glaucoma patients requires further evaluation.
Kasper
J
J
Laboratory of Ocular Pharmacology and Physiology, University Eye Clinic Basel, Switzerland.
Champion
C
C
Flammer
J
J
Haefliger
I O
IO
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002354:Carteolol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019842:Ciliary Arteries / Q000187:drug effects*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D013552:Swine; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D002354:Carteolol