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Although it has been suggested that ergot derivatives may play a role in antiglaucoma therapy, little attention has been paid to the ocular hypotensive action of these drugs. Having previously reported in their laboratory that topical dihydroergocristine decreases intraocular pressure (IOP) both in ocular normotensive and alpha-chymotrypsin-induced ocular hypertensive rabbits, the aim of the authors' present work was to assess the effect of natural ergot alkaloids, ergocristine, alpha-ergocryptine and ergocornine, on the IOP and aqueous humor dynamics in ocular normotensive rabbits in order to further explore the ocular actions of these compounds. IOP was measured with a pneumatonometer manometrically calibrated for the rabbit eye. Changes in tonographic facility of aqueous humor outflow and rate of aqueous humor inflow were evaluated in anesthetized rabbits. Natural ergot alkaloids were found to reduce IOP in ocular normotensive eyes in a dose-related fashion. These compounds decreased both tonographic outflow facility and, to a greater extent, aqueous humor inflow, which explains their final hypotensive effect.
Dr. J. Santafe, Departamento de Farmacologia, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad del Pais Vasco, Paseo de la Universidad no 7, E-01006 Vitoria, Spain
11.2 Cholinergic drugs (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)