Influence of prostaglandins on cation movement in the lens

Abstract

Rabbit lenses incubated at 36°C for 20 hr in a medium containing 10 −3 m prostaglandin (PG) E 1, E 2 or E 2 α exhibited a marked increase in sodium and decrease in potassium content; 10 −3 m PGF 1 α was without effect. 10 −3 m PGE 1 caused a significant increase in cation permeability as evidenced by increased rubidium-86 efflux. Reduced rubidium-86 uptake was observed in lenses incubated in 10 −3 m PGE 1 and F α. 10 −4 m prostaglandins (E 1, E 2 and F 2 α ) appeared to stimulate the lens cation transport mechanism. Recovery from a cold induced cation shift was enhanced, as was rubidium-86 uptake. Lenses subjected to reduced calcium level in the incubation medium survived better in the presence of 10 −4 m PG. It is suggested that the effects of 10 −4 m PG are mediated via the adenyl cyclase system. The effects of 10 −3 m PG might be due to a large non-specific increase in lens cation permeability.