Effect of latanoprost on outflow facility in the mouse

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the early effect of latanoprost on outflow facility and aqueous humor dynamics in the mouse.

Methods: Aqueous humor dynamics in NIH Swiss White mice were assessed with an injection and aspiration system, using fine glass microneedles. A single 200-ng (4 microL) dose of latanoprost was applied to one eye 2 hours before measurement. The fellow eye served as a control. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured by using an established microneedle procedure. Outflow facility (C) was determined by constant-pressure perfusion measurements obtained at two different IOPs. Aqueous humor flow (Fa) was determined by a dilution method using rhodamine-dextran. Conventional and uveoscleral outflow (Fc and Fu) were calculated by the Goldmann equation.

Results: Average IOP, Fa, and C of control eyes were 15.7 +/- 1.0 mm Hg, 0.144 +/- 0.04 microL/min (mean +/- SD, n = 8), and 0.0053 +/- 0.0014 microL/min per mm Hg (n = 21), respectively. Average IOP, Fa, and C of treated eyes were 14.0 +/- 0.8 mm Hg, 0.138 +/- 0.04 microL/min (n = 8 for each), and 0.0074 +/- 0.0016 microL/min per mm Hg (n = 21), respectively. The differences between treated and control eyes were significant for IOP and total outflow facility only.

Conclusions: These data indicate that the early hypotensive effect of latanoprost in the mouse eye is associated with a significant increase in total outflow facility. Alterations in the aqueous dynamics induced by latanoprost can be measured reproducibly in the mouse and may provide a useful model for further determining the mechanism by which latanoprost reduces IOP and alters outflow facility.