The effect of polyphloretin phosphate on the aqueous flare response to alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone.

The breakdown of the blood aqueous barrier caused by topical prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) or subcutaneous alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) was quantified by measurements of the aqueous flare seen in the anterior chamber. Polyphloretin phosphate (PPP) administration subcutaneously was found to effectively block the protein leakage caused by all three traumatic stimuli. The same dose of PPP given intravenously inhibited effectively the flare response to PGE1 and alpha-MSH, whereas the effect of PGE2 was only slightly decreased. Significant inhibition by subconjunctival PPP was not achieved for any of the three stimuli. Assuming that PPP is a specific PG-antagonist the present results support the eariler suggestion that PGs take part in the barrier damaging action of alpha-MSH. However, it cannot be excluded that PPP acts on a step subsequent to PG. This step might be common to PGs- and alpha-MSH-effects on the barrier, explaining why PPP inhibits both types of trauma.