Reduction by indomethacin of the degeneration increase in outflow facility after superior cervical ganglionectomy in the rabbit.

The effects of indomethacin and aspirin on the increase in facility of aqueous outflow occurring 24 hr after removal of the the superior cervical ganglion from rabbits have been studied. Both drugs were administered in the suppository from 1 hr prior to facility determinations. After pretreatment of rabbits with indomethacin in this manner, the degeneration increase in outflow facility was significantly reduced but not completely abolished. After pretreatment with aspirin, on the other hand, outflow facility of the denervated eyes, although showing a trend toward reduction from values for ganglionectomized eyes of untreated rabbits, was not changed statistically. The effect of indomethacin may be due to inhibition of porstaglandin or thromboxane synthesis. Because of the results with aspirin, however, a special action of indomethacin in reducing the elevated outflow facility must also be considered.