[The effects of prostaglandins on the blood-retinal barrier]

The effects of prostaglandin (PG), a novel PG-related compound, and epinephrine on the blood-retinal barrier (BRB) in the rabbit eye were examined by ophthalmoscopy, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography (FAG), vitreous fluorophotometry (VFPM), light and electron microscopy, and the horseradish peroxidase tracer. Intravitreal injection of PGE2 produced retinal vasodilation and large increase in a vitreous fluorescein leakage in VFPM. Intravitreal injection of PGF2 alpha produced a small increase in vitreous fluorescein leakage in VFPM, but no retinal vasodilation. Intravitreal injection of epinephrine produced retinal vasodilation and a small increase in vitreous fluorescein leakage in VFPM. But intravitreal injection of latanoprost (PhXA41) produced no retinal vasodilation and no increase in vitreous fluorescein leakage in VFPM. After intravitreal injection of PGE2, morphological changes in the retina were found, but intravitreal injection of PhXA41 did not induce morphological changes in the BRB or the retina. PhXA41 was less destructive to the BRB and the retina than PGE2, PGF2 alpha, and epinephrine.