The influence of 12(R)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid on ciliary epithelial sodium, potassium-adenosine triphosphatase activity and intraocular pressure in the rabbit.

Ciliary epithelium was isolated from the rabbit eye and used as a source of plasma membrane material for sodium, potassium-adenosine triphosphatase (Na,K-ATPase) measurements. In the presence of 12(R)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid [12(R)HETE], Na,K-ATPase (ouabain-sensitive ATPase) activity was reduced from 22.5 to 16.3 microM phosphate released/mg protein/hr. Ouabain-insensitive ATPase activity was not altered by 12(R)HETE. No changes in ciliary epithelium ATPase activity were observed in the presence of 12(S)HETE. In parallel studies with conscious rabbits, 12(R)HETE applied topically to the eye was found to lower intraocular pressure (IOP). It is possible that the IOP-lowering effect of 12(R)HETE may be, in part, associated with its ability to suppress the Na,K-ATPase activity of the ciliary epithelium.