Reversal of endothelin-1—induced ocular hemodynamic effects by low-dose nifedipine in humans

Abstract

These results show that nifedipine does not increase optic nerve head blood flow during baseline conditions but reverses ET-1-induced constriction in ocular vasculature at doses that do not affect systemic hemodynamics. This supports the close relation of the therapeutic effect of calcium channel blockers in patients with normal tension glaucoma to the endothelin system. Moreover, the present study provides a strong rationale for a study of low dose nifedipine as a supplementary medication in glaucoma patients.

Transient Raise of Endothelin-1 Plasma Level and Reduction of Ocular Blood Flow in a Patient with Optic Neuritis

“…If steroids had any influence, then they rather decreased the ET-1-plasma levels. Calcium channel blockers also seem to decrease the ET-1 plasma level [3]. We can therefore assume that the ET-1 plasma levels were indeed markedly increased.…”

Non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy: A review and update

“…58 One potential humoral factor is endothelin-1 (ET-1). 59 Animal studies have shown that intravenous administration of ET-1 causes a reduction in optic nerve head blood flow and that this is reversed with the administration of a calcium channel blocker. 59 …”

Ocular blood flow and associated functional deviations in diabetic retinopathy

“…Endothelin-1 induces potent vasoconstrictor effects in isolated ocular arteries [211,212]. The importance of endothelin in the control of retinal, optic disc and choroidal blood flow was also determined by animal [136, 213±215] and human studies [216,217].…”