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Pilocarpine mydriasis in mice.
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
Journal of Ocular Pharmacology
|January 1, 1985
Summary
Pilocarpine causes pupil dilation (mydriasis) in mice, a previously undescribed effect. This mydriasis occurs via multiple administration routes and may stem from reduced parasympathetic activity.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Pilocarpine and oxotremorine induce mydriasis in some rodents, unlike most species where they cause miosis.
- The mydriatic effect of pilocarpine in mice has not been previously documented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish pilocarpine as a mydriatic agent in mice.
- To investigate the routes of administration and potential mechanisms of pilocarpine-induced mydriasis in mice.
Main Methods:
- Administered pilocarpine locally to the eyes, intraperitoneally (IP), and intracerebroventricularly (ICV) in mice.
- Observed the effects of pilocarpine, arecoline, and atropine on pupil size.
- Investigated the interaction between pilocarpine and atropine, and the effect of antihistamines.
Main Results:
- Pilocarpine consistently produced mydriasis in mice across ocular, IP, and ICV administration.
- Arecoline showed dose-dependent effects, causing miosis or mydriasis ocularly, and mydriasis after IP/ICV injection.
- Pilocarpine's mydriatic effect was additive with atropine and not blocked by antihistamines.
- Intracerebroventricular pilocarpine induced mydriasis at systemically equivalent doses.
Conclusions:
- Pilocarpine is confirmed as a mydriatic drug in mice.
- The mydriasis induced by pilocarpine in mice likely results from the inhibition of parasympathetic nerve activity.