Intraocular hypotensive effect of a topically applied cortisol metabolite: 3 alpha, 5 beta-tetrahydrocortisol.

3 alpha, 5 beta-tetrahydrocortisol, previously considered an inactive metabolite of cortisol, was found to lower significantly the intraocular pressure (IOP) of rabbits made ocular hypertensive with dexamethasone alone or with threshold levels of dexamethasone plus 5 beta-dihydrocortisol. The ocular hypotensive effect appeared within 3-7 days after the metabolite was started and persisted through the duration of the experiments. The metabolite did not lower the IOP of ocular normotensive untreated animals. Thus, 3 alpha,5 beta-tetrahydrocortisol is a naturally occurring steroid antagonist, which may be of use in the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma.