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Abstract #76694 Published in IGR 19-3

Relaxin 2 fails to lower intraocular pressure and to dilate retinal vessels in rats

Hampel U; Träger K; Liu H; Teister J; Grus F; Prokosch-Willing V
International Ophthalmology 2019; 39: 847-851


PURPOSE: Recently, the vasodilator relaxin 2 has been introduced as a treatment for acute heart failure. However, its role on vessels of the eye and intraocular pressure (IOP) remains unclear though it has been hypothesized to induce a decrease IOP after intramuscular injection in humans. We aimed to test whether the hormone relaxin 2 lowers IOP and dilates retinal vessels in animals. METHODS: The IOP of female Sprague-Dawley rats before and after application of relaxin 2 was measured using an Icare Tonolab device calibrated for rats. Recombinant human relaxin 2 in phosphate-buffered saline with 0.1% bovine serum albumin was either applied as eye drops (1000, 2000 or 3000 ng/ml), injected intravitreally (500 ng/ml) or intravenously (13.3 μg/kg body weight). Retinal vessel thickness was monitored using infrared fundus images compiled with optical coherence tomography (Heidelberg Engineering) before and several time points after application of relaxin 2. RESULTS: Neither topical nor intravitreous or intravenous application of relaxin 2 lowered the IOP or changed the arterial or venous vessel diameter after 1 or 3 h after application. DISCUSSION: Now that relaxin 2 is more easily available, the hormone came again into focus as a potential glaucoma therapeutic. However, our study in rats could not support the hypothesis that relaxin 2 lowers IOP or dilates retinal vessels.

Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany. Ulrike.Hampel@unimedizin-mainz.de.

Full article

Classification:

5.1 Rodent (Part of: 5 Experimental glaucoma; animal models)
11.14 Investigational drugs; pharmacological experiments (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)
11.7 Treatment of bloodflow (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)
6.1.3 Factors affecting IOP (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods > 6.1 Intraocular pressure measurement; factors affecting IOP)



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