RESUMO
PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on the contraction of cultured human trabecular meshwork cells (HTMCs). METHODS: After embedding them into collagen gels, primarily cultured HTMCs were exposed to NO donors, such as sodium nitroprusside (SNP) or S-Nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), for 1 week at various concentrations, and the contraction of the collagen gels was measured. Cellular survival and NO production were measured with MTT assay and Griess assay, respectively. RESULTS: Though SNP and SNAP did not significantly affect cellular survival, they markedly enhanced NO production. Both sodium nitroprusside and SNAP inhibited the contraction of collagen gels by about 10% in dose and time-dependent manners (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: NO donors inhibited the contraction of collagen gels in vitro. Thus, NO donors may relax trabecular meshwork and enhance trabecular outflow.