Purpose: To compare the vasoactive properties of the docosanoid unoprostone, its free acid, and different members of the prostanoid family on isolated perfused pig retinal arterioles to assess their potential to modulate retinal blood flow.
Methods: Segments of porcine retinal arterioles were dissected, cannulated, and perfused, and their diameter monitored during either intraluminal or extraluminal application of increasing doses (10(-10)-10(-4) M) of either the docosanoid unoprostone isopropyl and its free acid or of selected prostanoids: prostaglandin (PG) F(2alpha) and thromboxane A(2) analogue (U46619). Studies were performed on arterioles in their uncontracted state, and also during precontraction with endothelin-1 (10(-9) M). The significance of any induced change in vessel diameter was assessed in relation to the initial vessel diameter or, in the case of endothelin-1 administration, to the contracted diameter with endothelin-1 alone.
Results: In normal-tone arterioles without endothelin-1 contraction, PGF(2alpha) and U46619 both produced a potent dose-dependent contraction, but neither unoprostone isopropyl nor unoprostone free acid had a significant vasoactive effect. In endothelin-1-contracted arterioles, U46619 produced further contraction, PGF(2alpha) produced a slight vasodilatation, and unoprostone isopropyl and its free acid produced a pronounced dilatation.
Conclusions: Of the agents tested, unoprostone isopropyl and its free acid were the most potent vasodilators of endothelin-1-contracted pig retinal arterioles. Members of the prostanoid family demonstrated a different effect on the diameter of isolated retinal arterioles compared with the docosanoids. The potential therefore exists for the docosanoid unoprostone to have a beneficial effect on retinal blood flow in addition to any reduction in intraocular pressure.
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Sci Rep
January 2025
Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB), Mittlere Strasse 91, 4031, Basel, Switzerland.
The eye and the heart are two closely interlinked organs, and many diseases affecting the cardiovascular system manifest in the eye. To contribute to the understanding of blood flow propagation towards the retina, we developed a method to acquire electrocardiogram (ECG) coupled time-resolved dynamic optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. This method allows for continuous synchronised monitoring of the cardiac cycle and retinal blood flow dynamics.
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December 2024
Department of Ophthalmology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
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Microvasc Res
December 2024
Department of Cardiology, University Heart Center, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Center for Translational and Experimental Cardiology (CTEC), Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address:
Background And Aims: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic autoimmune disease, characterized by widespread microvasculopathy and fibrosis. Vascular and endothelial cell changes appear to precede other features of SSc. Retinal vascular analysis is a new, easy-to-use tool for the assessment of retinal microvascular function.
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December 2024
Paris Cardiovascular Research Center, Université Paris Cité, Inserm U970, Paris F-75015, France.
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