MK-507 (L-671,152), a topically active carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, reduces aqueous humor production in monkeys

• Published in: Archives of ophthalmology (1960) Vol. 109; no. 9; p. 1297
• Main Authors: Wang, R F, Serle, J B, Podos, S M, Sugrue, M F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.1991
• Subjects: Administration, Topical; Animals; Aqueous Humor - drug effects; Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors - pharmacology; Female; Fluorophotometry; Intraocular Pressure - drug effects; Macaca fascicularis; Sulfonamides - pharmacology; Thiophenes - pharmacology; Tonometry, Ocular
• ISSN: 0003-9950
• DOI: 10.1001/archopht.1991.01080090123036

An investigation was carried out to determine the mechanism by which MK-507 (L-671,152), a water-soluble inhibitor of human carbonic anhydrase II in vitro, reduces intraocular pressure when applied topically to monkey eyes. Intraocular pressure, tonographically measured outflow facility, and fluorophotometrically determined aqueous humor flow were measured before and after therapy in eight normal cynomolgus monkeys. Fifty microliters of 2% MK-507 was instilled in one eye and diluent in the contralateral eye. Baseline values for intraocular pressure, outflow facility, and aqueous humor flow were similar in the drug-treated and diluent-treated control eyes. After therapy, intraocular pressure was significantly (P less than .05) reduced from 1 to 7 hours (eg, 14.0 +/- 1.0 and 15.9 +/- 0.9 mm Hg [mean +/- SEM], treated and control eyes, respectively, at 3 hours). Outflow facility was not significantly (P greater than .40) changed at 3 hours, and aqueous humor flow measured over 5 hours was significantly (P less than .05) reduced (38%) in treated (0.9 +/- 0.1 microL/min) as compared with control eyes (1.5 +/- 0.1 microL/min). The results suggest that MK-507 reduces intraocular pressure by decreasing aqueous humor production.