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Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Trabecular Meshwork Response to Pressure Elevation in the Living Human Eye
Published on: June 20, 2015
Flufenamic acid enhances current through maxi-K channels in the trabecular meshwork of the eye
F Stumpff1, M Boxberger, H Thieme
1Institut für Klinische Physiologie, Universitätsklinikum Benjamin Franklin, Freie Universität Berlin, 12200 Berlin, Germany. stumpff@zedat.fu-berlin.de
Purpose:
Flufenamic acid relaxes trabecular meshwork, a smooth muscle-like tissue involved in the regulation of ocular outflow in the eye. In this study, we attempted to determine if ionic channels are involved in this response.
Methods:
Cultured human (HTM) and bovine (BTM) trabecular meshwork cells were investigated using the patch-clamp technique.
Results:
In trabecular meshwork, flufenamic acid (10(-5) M) reversibly stimulated outward current to 406 +/- 71% of initial outward current level in BTM (n = 10) and 294 +/- 75% of initial current level in HTM (n = 12) in all cells investigated; no significant differences emerged. The response was dosage-dependent. Replacement of potassium in all solutions eliminated the response to flufenamic acid (n = 4, BTM). Blocking K(ATP ) channels with glibenclamide (10(-5) M, n = 6) and small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels with apamin (10(-6) M, n = 5) had no effect. A direct effect on calcium channels could also not be detected. Blockage of the large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel (maxi-K) by iberiotoxin (10(-7) M) suppressed 87 +/- 9% (n = 6; HTM) and 91 +/- 10% (n = 6; BTM) of the response. Depleting the cells of calcium did not significantly alter the response to flufenamic acid.
Conclusions:
Flufenamic acid stimulates maxi-K channels in trabecular meshwork of both human and bovine origin. This should lead to hyperpolarization, closure of L-type channels and lowered cytosolic calcium levels, possibly explaining the relaxation observed in response to this substance.
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