Nitric oxide levels in the aqueous humor vary in different ocular hypertension experimental models

This study investigated the relationships among intraocular pressure (IOP), nitric oxide (NO) levels, and aqueous flow rates in experimental ocular hypertension models. A total of 75 rabbits were used. One of four different materials [i.e., α-chymotrypsin, latex microspheres (Polybead), red blood cell ghosts, or sodium hyaluronate (Healon GV)] was injected into the eyes of the 15 animals in each experimental group; the remaining 15 rabbits were reserved for a control group. The IOP changes in the five groups were recorded on postinduction Days 1–3, Day 7, Day 14, Day 30, Day 60, Day 90, and Day 120. On postinduction Day 7, the dynamics and NO levels in the aqueous humor were recorded. Significant IOP elevations were induced by α-chymotrypsin (p < 0.01) and Polybead (p < 0.01) on each postinduction day. In the red blood cell ghosts model, significant elevations (p < 0.01) were found on postinduction Days 1–3; Healon GV significantly elevated IOP (p < 0.01) on postinduction Day 1 and Day 2. On postinduction Day 7, the aqueous humor NO levels increased significantly in the models of α-chymotrypsin, Polybead, and red blood cell ghosts (all p < 0.01), while the aqueous flow rates were significantly reduced in the models of α-chymotrypsin and Polybead (p < 0.005). Persistent ocular hypertension models were induced with α-chymotrypsin and Polybead in the rabbits. The Polybead model exhibited the characteristic of an increased aqueous humor NO level, similar to human eyes with acute angle-closure glaucoma and neovascular glaucoma.