Glutathione Modulates Hydrogen Sulfide Release and the Ocular Hypotensive Action of Diallyl Polysulfide Compounds.

BACKGROUND

Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is an endogenous transmitter with the potential to regulate aqueous humor dynamics and protect retinal neurons from degeneration. The aim of the present study was two-fold: (a) to evaluate the release of HS from two polysulfides, diallyl disulfide (DADS), and diallyl trisulfide (DATS); and (b) to investigate their ocular hypotensive actions in normotensive male and female rabbits in the presence and absence of GSH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HS was quantified hourly for up to 6 h using a HS-Biosensor (World Precision Instruments, Sarasota, Fl). Intraocular pressure (IOP) was assessed in normotensive New Zealand Albino rabbits using a pneumotonometer (model 30 classic; Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments, Depew, NY, USA).

RESULTS

In the presence of GSH, there was an increase in the in vitro release of HS produced by DADS and DATS. Both DADS and DATS also caused a dose-dependent reduction in IOP in male and female rabbits, in both treated and untreated eyes. For instance, in male animals, the presence of GSH (3% and 5%) significantly ( < 0.05, = 5) enhanced the ocular hypotensive action of DADS (2%) and DATS (2%) from 14.02 ± 2.89% to 18.67 ± 5.6% and from 16.22 ± 3.48 to 23.62 ± 5.79%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

GSH enhanced both HS release and ocular hypotensive action of the polysulfides in a manner that was dependent on the number of sulfur atoms present in each polysulfide. Furthermore, female animals were less sensitive to the IOP-lowering action of the polysulfides, when compared to their male counterparts.