Influence of hydrogen peroxide on adenine uptake by iris, ciliary epithelium and corneal endothelium.

Hydrogen peroxide injected into the anterior chamber of adult rabbits causes a sequence of events that is not seen in young normal rabbits, yet is replicated in young rabbits receiving a catalase inhibitor. The uptake of radiolabeled adenine was measured in corneal endothelial, ciliary epithelial, and iris cells of either normal eyes, eyes injected with hydrogen peroxide or inhibitors of glutathione metabolism. Cellular adenine uptake did not exceed that of the bathing solution, except in corneal endothelia and ciliary epithelium of young animals. Under different experimental conditions intracameral hydrogen peroxide decreased adenine uptake into cells of various tissues compared the same experimental condition where only water injections was made. This occurred even with suppression of catalase activity using 3-aminotriazole. Intravitreal glutathione inhibitors had no effect on adenine uptake. The effects of intracameral hydrogen peroxide seen previously might be explained on the basis of alterations in cellular plasma membrane permeability.