Ouabain-sensitive Na-K ATPase response in the rabbit iris-ciliary body after lensectomy-vitrectomy.

We studied ouabain-sensitive Na-K adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activities in the iris-ciliary body of rabbit eyes after lensectomy-vitrectomy. Changes in enzyme activities were quantitatively investigated in the plasma membrane of iris-ciliary body at 0 or 7 hours and at days 1, 3, 7, and 14. The specific activity of Na-K ATPase rose to significantly higher levels than the control value at 7 hours following surgery, but returned to the baseline value after 7 days. In addition, we evaluated enzyme activities after lensectomy-vitrectomy during which SF6 or silicone oil was injected. The specific activity of Na-K ATPase following the injection of SF6 or silicone oil was significantly higher than the control value at 7 hours and did not return to the normal value even after 14 days. Consensual reaction, demonstrated by increased Na-K ATPase activity, also was found in the contralateral unoperated eyes of SF6- and silicone oil-injected rabbits. The increased Na-K ATPase activity in the iris-ciliary body after experimental surgery may play an important role in restoring swollen tissues.