The central effects of moxonidine on intraocular pressure and its antagonism by L-659, 066 and L-657, 743 in the rabbit.

1) The imidazoline, moxonidine (MOX), injected icvt into the anterior lateral ventricle of NZW rabbits induced ocular hypotension (> 7.0 mmHg) that persisted for two hrs. 2) L-659, 066 injected i.v. or icvt inhibited MOX-induced ocular hypotension, significantly. 3) L-657, 743, injected icvt at 100-fold lower concentration than icvt L-659, 066, significantly inhibited MOX-induced ocular hypotension. 4) Alpha-2-adrenoceptors, located in the CNS, play a role in MOX-induced ocular hypotension, as evidenced by the ability of the relatively selective alpha-2 antagonists, L-659, 066 and L-657, 743 to inhibit icvt MOX-induced ocular hypotension.