RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Carbon monoxide-releasing molecules (CORMs) are a novel group of substances that are capable of modulating physiological functions via the liberation of CO. AIMS: This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of CORM-3, a water-soluble CO-releasing agent, on two rabbit models of ocular hypertension. METHODS: Ocular hypertension was induced by injecting alpha-chymotrypsin in the rabbit eye. The dose-response effect of CORM-3 on IOP was assessed by topical administration of the drug (0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 1%). Ocular hypertension was also obtained by weekly subconjunctival injection of betamethasone, and animals were treated topically with CORM-3. A group of animals in both models was treated with the inactive form of the drug (iCORM-3). RESULTS: CORM-3 induced a dose-dependent reduction in IOP in rabbits treated with alpha-chymotrypsin. A similar reduction in IOP was observed in rabbits with betamethasone-induced ocular hypertension treated with the drug. Treatment with the iCORM-3 had no effect on IOP in both models. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with CORM-3 is associated with a reduction in IOP in two different rabbit models of ocular hypertension. These results support previous findings on the effect of haem oxygenase-derived CO on IOP and suggest a direct involvement of CO system in the regulation of ocular pressure probably through the modulation of aqueous humour dynamics.