Enhanced endothelium derived hyperpolarising factor activity in resistance arteries from normal pressure glaucoma patients: implications for vascular function in the eye

Background/aims: Endothelial cell dysfunction in the ocular circulation may contribute to normal pressure glaucoma (NPG). This study aimed to investigate the contributions made by endothelium derived relaxing factors to relaxation of (1) subcutaneous resistance arteries from patients with NPG, and (2) porcine ciliary arteries. Methods: Human gluteal resistance arteries were isolated from seven patients with NPG and matched controls. Human and porcine arteries produced endothelium dependent relaxation when exposed to acetylcholine (ACh) (10−9−3×10−5M) or bradykinin (10−10−3×10−6M). Pharmacological agents were used to inhibit the nitric oxide pathway (l-arginine analogues, soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor), endothelium derived hyperpolarising factor (EDHF) activity (potassium channel antagonists), and prostaglandin synthesis (cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors). Results: In all arteries, endothelium dependent relaxation was attenuated by nitric oxide (NO) inhibition or potassium channel blockade, but not by cyclo-oxygenase inhibition. Inhibition of ACh mediated relaxation by potassium channel antagonists was greater (p