Summary
Bethanidine sulphate was administered topically to the eyes of conscious rabbits using a 0.5%, 1%, 2% and 5% solution of the drug. The intraocular pressures and pupil sizes were measured in the right treated and left control eyes at 0, 1, 2, 3, 6 and 24 hrs. With all concentrations a pressure decrease with a maximum between 3 and 6 hrs after topical treatment occured. The 5% solution of bethanidine sulphate showed a delayed effect which was submaximal when compared to the 2% bethanidine solution. Using the 1% and 2% solution a pressure decrease probably due to systemic action of the drug happened in the untreated control eyes. In all experiments the pressure responses had disappeared after 24 hrs in the treated and untreated eyes respectively. By means of the experimental conditions in this study no significant pupillary reactions were found after bethanidine application. The tension effect of 0.5% adrenaline borate remained essentially unchanged when repeated with additional 1% topical bethanidine. Some aspects of sympatholytic drug action on the intraocular pressure in the rabbit are discussed.
Zusammenfassung
Die Wirkungen von Bethanidinsulfat auf den Augeninnendruck von wachen Kaninchen bei lokaler Applikation wurden anhand einer 0,5, 1, 2 und 5% igenBehanidinsulfatlösung untersucht. Der intraokulare Druck und die Pupillenweite wurden bei den rechten, behandelten und linken, unbehandelten Kontrollaugen zum Zeitpunkt 0, nach 1, 2, 3, 6, und 24 Std nach lokaler Applikation der Testsubstanz gemessen. Mit allen genannten Bethanidinkonzentrationen ließ sich eine signifikante Drucksenkung mit einem Maximum bei 3 oder 6 Std nach der Applikation feststellen. Die 5% ige Bethanidinsulfatlösung zeigte einen verzögert einsetzenden, drucksenkenden Effekt, welcher im Vergleich zur 2% igen Lösung submaximal war. Mit der 1- und 2% igen Lösung konnte man auch eine Augeninnendrucksenkung an den unbehandelten Kontrollaugen beobachten. Dies schien bedingt durch eine systemische Wirkung des Bethanidins. In allen Experimenten war eine Drucksenkung nach 24 Std nach lokaler Applikation nicht mehr feststellbar. Unter den experimentellen Bedingungen der vorliegenden Untersuchung war ein Einfluß von Bethanidin auf die Pupillenweite nicht meßbar. Die drucksenkende Wirkung von 0,5% Adrenalinborat zeigte sich bei gleichzeitiger lokaler Applikation von 1% Bethanidin nicht verstärkt.
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The author is indebted to the Deutsche Welcome GmbH, Großburgwedel for a generous supply of bethanidine sulphate and to Mrs. M. Gholami for able technical assistance.
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Krieglstein, G.K. The influence of topically applied bethanidine on intraocular pressure and pupil in the rabbit. Albrecht von Graefes Arch. Klin. Ophthalmol. 196, 31–38 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00410024
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00410024