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OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of ramiprilat on experimentally induced acute and chronic glaucoma in rabbits. METHODS: Acute glaucoma was produced by i.v. infusion of 5% glucose in rabbits. Injection of alphachymotrypsin into posterior chamber of rabbit eye produced sustained elevation of intraocular pressure (lOP) which lasted for almost 3 months. The effect of ramiprilat(0.1%) and ramipril(0.1%) was studied in these models of glaucoma. The interaction of ramiprilat with acetylcholine was studied on isolated rat ileum. Effect of ramiprilat on the enzyme cholinesterase and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) was studied biochemically. RESULTS: Ramiprilat produced significant fall in lOP in normotensive rabbit eyes and also in rabbits with alpha-chymotrypsin induced glaucoma: It prevented the acute rise in lOP due to infusion of 5% glucose. It caused significant potentiation of responses to acetylcholine in isolated rat ileum preparation. True as well as pseudo cholinesterase enzymes of human blood and ACE in aqueous humor were found to be significantly inhibited by ramiprilat. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest a potential ocular hypotensive activity of ramiprilat which may be due to inhibition of ACE (Kininase-II) and cholinesterase.
R.K. Goyal, Department of Pharmacology, L.M. College of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad-380 009; India
5 Experimental glaucoma; animal models
11.14 Investigational drugs; pharmacological experiments (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)