OBJECTIVE To study the effects of beta-adrenergic agents on intracellular potential (Vm) of the isolated and intact rabbit ciliary epithelium. METHODS Vm was measured on the isolated intact ciliary epithelium superfused with adrenergic agents and cyclic AMP modulators. RESULTS The nonselective beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol depolarized Vm in a dose-dependent fashion. beta-adrenergic antagonists alone had no effect on baseline Vm. The isoproterenol response was blocked by the nonselective antagonist timolol (5 x 10(-5) M). The selective beta 2-antagonist ICI 118-551 caused a greater inhibition (IC50 approximately 7 x 10(-7)) than the selective beta 1-antagonist betaxolol (IC50 approximately 6 x 10(-6)). The isoproterenol response was also significantly (p < 0.03) blocked by the non-selective alpha-antagonist phentolamine. Cyclic AMP and phosphodiesterase inhibitors significantly decreased Vm. Pretreatment with these inhibitors potentiated the agonist-induced depolarization. Barium, a blocker of Ca(2+)-sensitive K+ channels, significantly decreased baseline Vm. Barium pretreatment blocked the beta-agonist and cAMP induced depolarization of Vm, suggesting that the K+ current is necessary for the observed isoproterenol response. Pretreatment with the cotransport inhibitor bumetanide had no effect on the isoproterenol-induced response. CONCLUSIONS The beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol affects ionic transport processes across the ciliary epithelium (beta 2 > beta 1). This effect is likely mediated through adenylate cyclase coupled to adrenoreceptors and requires the presence of the K+ current. Blockage of the isoproterenol-induced decrease in Vm by a nonselective alpha-adrenergic antagonist indicates an interaction between the two adrenergic systems in the ciliary epithelium.