The overall objective of the Proposed research program is to throw more light on the molecular mechanisms underlying prostaglandin (PG) release, and to elucidate the relationship between adrenergic receptor activation and PG formation in ocular tissues. To achieve these objectives we propose to carry out the following experiments: (1) Investigate the release of basal (endogenous) arachidonic acid from phospholipids of rabbit and bovine irides and its subsequent conversion into PGE2. Methodology for these studies will be developed. (2) Investigate the effects of adrenergic drugs, Ca++, Ca++-inonophore and phospholipase A2 inhibitors on the basal release of arachidonate and PGE2 by rabbit and bovine irides. (3) Investigate the effects of in vivo electrical stimulation of the sympathetic nerve on the release of arachidonate and PGE2 by the rabbit iris. (4) Determine if any of the agents which were found to affect arachidonate and PGE2 release from ocular tissues can be used as anti-inflammatory drugs in the eye.
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