[Effect of fluoxetine on histamine content in the rat conjunctiva].

PURPOSE

To determine the histamine levels of the rat conjunctiva following local administration of fluoxetine, a selective serotonin uptake inhibitor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Basal histamine and amine levels were determined in the rat conjunctiva following local application of compound 48/80. Fluoxetine was administered in the conjunctival fornix of the left eye of the rat, whereas the right eye, serving as control, received a drop of vehicle. After one hour, the conjunctiva was removed and homogenized, and the tissue histamine content was quantified fluorometrically.

RESULTS

Histamine levels reached 149.6%+/-11.6 of the control eye after local administration of fluoxetine. This increase was statistically significant (p<0.004) compared to the control. Simultaneous application of the histamine releaser compound 48/80 re-established normal histamine levels in the conjunctiva.

CONCLUSION

It can be postulated that the selective serotonin uptake inhibitors play an important role in the histamine concentration of the conjunctiva and in its variations.