title: Effects of topical natural ergot alkaloids on intraocular pressure and aqueous humor dynamics in ocular normotensive rabbits.
abstract: Although it has been suggested that ergot derivatives may play a role in antiglaucoma therapy, little attention has been paid to the ocular hypotensive action of these drugs. Having previously reported in our laboratory that topical dihydroergocristine decreases intraocular pressure both in ocular normotensive and alpha-chymotrypsin-induced ocular hypertensive rabbits, the aim of the present work was to assess the effect of natural ergot alkaloids, ergocristine, alpha-ergocryptine and ergocornine, on the intraocular pressure and aqueous humor dynamics in ocular normotensive rabbits in order to further explore the ocular actions of these compounds. Intraocular pressure was measured with a pneumatonometer manometrically calibrated for the rabbit eye. Changes in tonographic facility of aqueous humor outflow and rate of aqueous humor inflow were evaluated in anesthetized rabbits. Natural ergot alkaloids were found to reduce intraocular pressure in ocular normotensive eyes in a dose-related fashion. These compounds decreased both tonographic outflow facility and, to a greater extent, aqueous humor inflow, which explains their final hypotensive effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Basque Country University, Vitoria, Spain.
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Puras
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Santafé
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Segarra
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garrido
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Melena
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004876:Ergot Alkaloids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D004876:Ergot Alkaloids