The effect of ascorbate, hydroperoxides, and bradykinin on prostaglandin production by corneal and lens cells.

Epithelial cells from the rabbit cornea, fibroblasts from the rabbit and calf cornea, and calf lens epithelial cells were placed in individual cultures. Prostaglandin (PG) synthesis by these cell types was determined. Lens epithelial cells produced no detectable PGs under basal conditions. Corneal fibroblasts primarily produced PGE2, while epithelial cells primarily produced thromboxane A2. PG production by corneal fibroblasts was highly responsive to bradykinin, ascorbic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and t-butyl hydroperoxide, an organic peroxide. Quantitative differences in PG production between the rabbit and calf corneal fibroblasts were observed. Our results suggest that the reported therapeutic actions of ascorbic acid in the eye may, at least in part, be mediated through the PGs. Our results also support the proposed role for hydroperoxides in the control of PG synthesis.