Glaucoma is a disease of eye that is characterized by an increase in intraocular pressure (IOP). We have studied the effect of torasamide (1%) on intraocular pressure (IOP) in experimentally induced acute and chronic models of glaucoma in rabbits. Some of the possibilities regarding mechanism of action involved were also studied.Acute glaucoma was induced by intravenous administration of 5% dextrose. Pretreatment with topical torasemide (1%) prevented acute rise in IOP induced by intravenous administration of 5% dextrose infusion. Chronic glaucoma model was produced by injection of freshly prepared 50 unit of α-chymotrypsin in 0.1 ml of sterile saline in the posterior chamber of the eye. Torasemide (1%) (From 33.06±0.73 to 19.96±0.1 mmHg) and pilocarpine (1%) (From 30.13±0.40 to 20.8±0.04 mmHg) produced a significant fall in intraocular pressure in rabbits with α-chymotrypsin induced ocular hypertension. Pretreatment with indomethacin (1%) (A prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor) blocked the IOP lowering effect of torasemide (1%). Pretreatment with pilocarpine (1%) did not produce any significant change in IOP lowering action of torasemide (1%). Our data suggest that torasemide showed oculohypotensive effect probably by enhancing aqueous humor outflow. Introduction Glaucoma is a multifactorial disease with a number of elements contributing to its development. An elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) is a prominent component in optic nerve damage, which is the hallmark of glaucoma. If the elevated IOP is inadequately treated, progressive blindness may result.Various drugs used in treatment of glaucoma 1 are parasympathomimetics,β-adrenoceptor blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2-adrenoceptor agonists, prostaglandin analogues and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors 2 (ACE inhibitors). Timolol eye drops are a golden standard in the treatment of glaucoma. However, timolol is known to get into systemic circulation and causes various systemic effects. 3 Although glaucoma is known to be a serious chronic eye disease, an ideal agent to be used in this disease is still not available and there has been a constant urge for the discovery of newer drugs.Tingey et al. (1992) observed that topical application of a loop diuretic, ethacrynic acid in the eyes of rabbits and monkeys, reduced intraocular pressure. 4 Neumann et al. (1992) reported that a single intracameral injection of ethacrynic acid reduced IOP in patients with glaucoma. 5 In the present study, we investigated the effect of torasemide on IOP in rabbits and possible mechanism of action of this agent. Materials And Methods Experimental animals New Zealand white rabbits of either sex weighing 1.5 to 2.5 kg, (Zydus Research Center, Ahmedabad, India) housed under well controlled conditions of temperature (22±2°C), humidity (55±5%) and 12/12-h light dark cycle were given access to food and water ad libitum. The protocol of the experiment was approved by the Institutional Animal Ethical Committee as per the guidance of the Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. Acute glaucoma modelRabbits weighing 1.5 to 2.5 kg were used for the study. The basal intraocular pressure was measured by tonometer (Schiotz type indentation tonometer) and the drug solutions prepared in suitable solvents were instilled topically into the left eye. The drug solutions used in the study were torasemide (1% in PEG 400) and pilocarpine (1%, FDC Ltd., India). The right eye received the vehicle, which served as control. After 15 minutes of drug administration, 5% dextrose solution (15 ml/kg) was intravenously infused through marginal ear vein. The Intra ocular pressure (IOP) changes were recorded every 15 minutes till the pressure became normal.Chronic glaucoma model Rabbits weighing of 1.5 to 2.5 kg (either sex) were sedated with diazepam (1 mg/kg i.v.) and anaesthetized with ketamine (25 mg
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