Topical ocular hypotensive effects of the novel angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor SCH 33861 in conscious rabbits.

SCH 33861 is a novel, non-sulfhydryl angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. Topical administration of the compound to the eye of conscious rabbits was employed to examine actions on intraocular pressure (IOP). Falls in IOP resulted from SCH 33861 (0.001-0.01%) administration. Ocular hypotensive responses were sustained for as long as 24 hrs following a single application of 0.001% SCH 33861. The RSS isomer of SCH 33861, which is 200-fold weaker an ACE inhibitor than SCH 33861, caused only transient falls in IOP at 0.1% concentration. The magnitude of the fall in IOP induced by 0.001% SCH 33861 (4.8 +/- 0.5 mmHg) was comparable to that produced by 0.5% timolol (4.5 +/- 0.3 mmHg). Other ACE inhibitors such as captopril (0.1%) and enalaprilic acid (0.01%) also reduced IOP by 4.0 +/- 0.4 and 4.7 +/- 0.4 mmHg, respectively. These findings indicate that SCH 33861 is 500-fold more potent on a weight basis than is timolol in lowering IOP. No loss of ocular hypotensive activity was observed when SCH 33861 was administered twice daily for 5 days suggesting little, if any, potential for tolerance development. SCH 33861, as well as the other ACE inhibitors, caused neither ocular irritation nor alteration of pupil diameter. These findings suggest that inhibition of ocular ACE may represent an effective means of reducing IOP.