Effects of Sildenafil and Tadalafil on Intraocular Pressure in Sheep: Implications for Aqueous Humor Dynamics

Rosana Gerometta, Lawrence J. Alvarez, Oscar A. Candia

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose. To determine the effects of vasodilators on intraocular pressure (IOP) and the protein content of sheep aqueous humor (AH), because the vasodilators may increase fluid leakage from the fenestrated capillaries of the ciliary body to the extracellular tissue and directly to the anterior chamber (AC) via the iris, and some senior patients (older than 70) treated with sildenafil have exhibited elevated IOP. Methods. Experiments were performed on domestic sheep residing on a ranch in Argentina. These docile and compliant animals readily swallowed tablets of sildenafil (50 and 100 mg) and tadalafil (20 mg). IOP was monitored by Perkins applanation tonometry in 21 normal sheep receiving orally administered drugs. In addition, paracentesis was performed on six sheep to quantify changes in AH protein levels. Results. Ingestion of both sildenafil and tadalafil increased sheep IOP from normal levels of ~9 to 11 mm Hg within 1 hour. The IOP elevation was ~ 1.6-fold with both doses of sildenafil. IOP returned to control values within 4 hours. With the longer-lasting vasodilator tadalafil, IOP remained 1.6- to 1.9-fold higher than normal for at least 48 hours and returned to control levels within 4 days. The AH protein content was approximately 39% higher in sheep given 100 mg sildenafil. Conclusions. These data are consistent with a vasodilator-evoked increase in plasma-like fluid in the AC, which likely accounts for the IOP elevation. The results are discussed with a model for AH dynamics that may be of importance to senior individuals treated for vascular diseases with these compounds.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3139-3144
Number of pages6
JournalInvestigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
Volume51
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2010

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