[The effects of calcium antagonists on prostaglandin E2 reaction in rabbit eyes].

We determined the effects of calcium antagonists (CAs) on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) induced responses in the anterior ocular segment. PGE2 was administered to pigmented rabbit eyes with a glass cylinder attached to the corneal surface. CAs (nicardipine, verapamil, diltiazem: 125-1,000 micrograms/kg) were injected intravenously either once (30 min. before or at the same time as the PGE2 administration), or twice (at the same time as the PGE2 administration and 30 min. after). We evaluated the aqueous flare (AF) for 6 hours using a laser flare cell meter and intraocular pressure (IOP). A single peak rise of AF was observed about 1 hour after the PGE2 administration and a transient elevation of IOP 15-30 min. after. Intravenously injected CAs reduced these responses. Nicardipine (500-1,000 micrograms/kg) in particular significantly suppressed both the rise of AF and the IOP elevation. These results suggest that CAs suppress ocular inflammatory responses induced by PGE2 effectively.