CNS Alpha2-Adrenoceptor Induced Mydriasis in Conscious Rats
- 1 January 1990
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Mary Ann Liebert Inc in Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Vol. 6 (2) , 123-129
- https://doi.org/10.1089/jop.1990.6.123
Abstract
Clonidine (3-300 μg/kg, i-p.) produced dose-dependent pupillary dilation in unanesthetized rats. At low levels of illumination (30 lux), this effect was similar to that seen in anesthetized animals but was diminished under higher ambient lighting conditions. αMethyldopa (60 mg/kg, i.p.) produced mydriasis that took several hours to develop and was prevented by pretreatment with a dopamine β-hydroxylase inhibitor (FLA-63). Yohimbine antagonized pupillary dilation induced by both clonidine and methyldopa. These results demonstrate that mydriasis in the conscious rat can be an effective index of CNS α2-adrenoceptor activation, particularly when measured under low lighting levels.This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: