Effect of captopril on ocular irritative response to topical neutral formaldehyde and YAG-laser capsulotomy in the rabbit.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) -inhibitors inhibit degradation of inflammatory mediators substance P (SP) and bradykinin, which may further stimulate the synthesis of prostaglandins. The resulting increase in inflammatory mediators in tissues is suggested to be the reason for the dry cough, involving sensory C-fiber activation, among patients receiving ACE-inhibitor therapy. In the present study, the effect of an ACE-inhibitor, captopril, on ocular irritative responses was studied in the rabbit. Intravenous captopril decreased markedly the blood pressure and the intraocular pressure (IOP) modestly. Topical neutral formaldehyde elicits an irritative response in the eye mediated through sensory neuropeptides SP and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Following topical neutral formaldehyde, the increase in IOP and breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier were inhibited by captopril, while miosis was not affected. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) content in the aqueous humour was increased by captopril, and this increase was inhibited by indomethacin. Following YAG-laser anterior capsulotomy, captopril inhibited the increase in IOP, breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier and miosis. The present study demonstrates that use of short-term administration of captopril prior to sensory nerve stimulation or YAG laser anterior capsulotomy does not enhance the ocular responses to these stimuli in the rabbit. In the present study, captopril inhibited these responses, at least partly by decreasing the blood pressure.