A water-soluble carbon monoxide-releasing molecule (CORM-3) lowers intraocular pressure in rabbits.
BACKGROUND
Carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (CORMs) are a novel group of substances that are capable of modulating physiological functions via the liberation of CO.


OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of CORM-3, a water-soluble CO-releasing agent, on two rabbit models of ocular hypertension.


METHODS
Ocular hypertension was induced by injecting alpha-chymotrypsin in the rabbit eye. The dose-response effect of CORM-3 on IOP was assessed by topical administration of the drug (0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 1%). Ocular hypertension was also obtained by weekly subconjunctival injection of betamethasone, and animals were treated topically with CORM-3. A group of animals in both models was treated with the inactive form of the drug (iCORM-3).


RESULTS
CORM-3 induced a dose-dependent reduction in IOP in rabbits treated with alpha-chymotrypsin. A similar reduction in IOP was observed in rabbits with betamethasone-induced ocular hypertension treated with the drug. Treatment with the iCORM-3 had no effect on IOP in both models.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with CORM-3 is associated with a reduction in IOP in two different rabbit models of ocular hypertension. These results support previous findings on the effect of haem oxygenase-derived CO on IOP and suggest a direct involvement of CO system in the regulation of ocular pressure probably through the modulation of aqueous humour dynamics.
Stagni
E
E
Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Catania Medical School, Viale A. Doria 6, Catania, Italy.
Privitera
M G
MG
Bucolo
C
C
Leggio
G M
GM
Motterlini
R
R
Drago
F
F
D000818:Animals; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002918:Chymotrypsin; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011817:Rabbits
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C476530:tricarbonylchloro(glycinato)ruthenium(II); D002918:Chymotrypsin; C117608:alpha-chymotrypsin