Caspase-3 inhibitor transiently delays inherited retinal degeneration in C3H mice carrying the rd gene

BACKGROUND: The effect of a caspase-3 inhibitor on retinal degeneration in C3H mice carrying the rd gene, a mutation of a rod-specific phosphodiesterase, was investigated. METHODS: A quantity of 2 mg/kg of Ac-DEVD-CHO, as inhibitor, was injected intraperitoneally every other day from 8 days of age, and retinal damage was compared with that in saline-treated C3H mice at 13 days (1 day after the third treatment) and 17 days of age (1 day after the fifth treatment). Retina of ICR mice not carrying rd gene was also evaluated under the same protocol. The efficacy of Ac-DEVD-CHO was evaluated based on total retinal thickness and outer retinal thickness (thickness of outer nuclear layer and photoreceptor layer). An apoptotic index and a cell proliferation index for the photoreceptor cells, at 13 days of age, were calculated based on terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-digoxigenin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) labeling, respectively. RESULTS: At 13 days of age, total and outer retinal thickness in saline-treated C3H mice were 140.3 microm and 37.5 microm, compared with 160.4 microm and 49.5 microm, respectively, in Ac-DEVD-CHO-treated C3H mice ( P<0.01, respectively). In ICR mice, total and outer retinal thickness were 182.1 microm and 90.9 microm, respectively, in saline-treated mice and 183.8 microm and 89.6 microm in Ac-DEVD-CHO-treated mice (not significant). At this time, the TUNEL index was 23.52 cells/10(4) microm (2) of outer nuclear layer in saline-treated C3H mice; Ac-DEVD-CHO treatment significantly reduced this value to 18.73 cells/10(4) microm(2) ( P<0.05). The TUNEL index in saline- and Ac-DEVD-CHO-treated ICR mice was 0.59 cells/10(4) microm(2) and 0.80 cells/10(4) microm(2), respectively (not significant); Ac-DEVD-CHO treatment had no influence on normally developing retina. The PCNA index was not affected by Ac-DEVD-CHO-treatment. However, at 17 days of age, Ac-DEVD-CHO treatment did not ameliorate retinal degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: The caspase-3 inhibitor was transiently effective in delaying retinal degeneration through inhibition of the apoptosis of photoreceptor cells in rd gene-carrying mice. The use of caspase-3 inhibitors may have therapeutic applications in the treatment of human retinal degeneration.     

N -methyl- D -aspartate (NMDA) induced apoptosis in adult rabbit retinas

Previously we showed that apoptosis is involved in N -methyl- D -aspartate (NMDA) induced excitotoxicity in adult rat retinas. Since rabbits have a higher endogenous level of glutamate in the retina and very different retinal structures, it is not clear if apoptosis is similarly involved in adult rabbit retinas after intravitreal injection of NMDA. In this study, we used ultrastructural features, TdT-mediated biotin-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and two caspase inhibitors to examine whether apoptosis is involved in NMDA-induced excitotoxicity in adult rabbit retinas. At 18 hr after an intravitreal injection of 400 nmoles NMDA, typical apoptotic features in degenerative cells in the retinal ganglion cell layer (RGCL) and the inner nuclear layer (INL) were noted by electron microscopy. TUNEL positive nuclei were detected in these layers as early as 4 hr showing maximal numbers at 18 hr. At 7 days, significant loss of nuclei from the RGCL was noted at the visual streak, the superior and the inferior retinas. These losses were abolished by simultaneous administration of MK-801 and ameliorated by YVAD, a caspase-1 inhibitor, but not by IETD, a caspase-8 inhibitor. These results indicated that, similar to adult rat retinas, apoptosis is involved in NMDA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity in rabbit retinas and that specific caspases may play important roles.     

Characteristics of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced retinal degeneration in animals and application for the therapy of human retinitis pigmentosa

BACKGROUND: Retinitis pigmentosa(RP) is a human disease characterized by loss of photoreceptor cells, especially rods, leading to visual disturbance and eventually to blindness. Effective treatment for RP control is still unavailable. The establishment of reliable animal models is essential for a better understanding of this disease, and for the development of therapeutic intervention. Here we summarize the establishment of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced retinal degeneration in animals, and success in disease control using this model. RESULTS: Retinal damage induced by MNU was highly reproducible and involved photoreceptor cell loss. It was obvious in all animals at approximately 7 days following a single systemic administration of MNU to adult mice (60 mg/kg), rats (60-75 mg/kg), hamsters (90 mg/kg), shrews (65 mg/kg), and monkeys (40 mg/kg). Extensive investigation in the rats revealed that MNU-induced photoreceptor cell loss was due to apoptosis with a decrease of Bcl-2 protein, increase of Bax protein, and activation of caspase families. Therapeutic to control MNU-induced photoreceptor cell loss in rats was evaluated with caspase-3 inhibitor (Ac-DEVD-CHO), nicotinamide(NAM), and docosahexaenoic acid(DHA); 4,000ng Ac-DEVD-CHO injected intravitreally 0 and 10 h after MNU suppressed disease progression, 25-1,000 mg/kg NAM subcutaneously injected concurrently or subsequently to MNU reversed retinal damage, and dietary supplementation of 9.5% DHA counteracted photoreceptor cell loss. CONCLUSION: Although the mechanisms triggering pathogenesis and the apoptotic cascade may differ between animals and humans, MNU-induced retinal degeneration is caused by photoreceptor cell apoptosis. Thus, suppression of MNU-induced photoreceptor cell apoptosis in animals may provide therapeutic information for RP control in humans.     

N-甲基-N-亚硝脲对大鼠视网膜光感受器的毒性作用

目的:观察N-甲基-N-亚硝脲(N-methyl-N-nitrosourea,MNU)对SD大鼠视网膜光感受器细胞的毒性作用。方法:雌性SD大鼠100只,分17组,正常对照组4只,其余组各6只。在大鼠生后50 d,分别一次腹腔注射MNU 50 mg／kg、60 mg／kg、70 mg／kg和80 mg／kg。在MNU处理后24、48、72 h和7 d处死大鼠,取眼球,做组织学检查。结果:不同剂量的MNU均引起中心视网膜和周边视网膜损伤,其损害的程度与MNU的剂量呈正比。作用24 h后,可见视网膜光感受器细胞核固缩、破坏及光感受器外节部定向紊乱;48 h或72 h后,可见光感受器细胞丧失;7 d后,外颗粒层和光感受层几乎完全消失。结论:MNU对大鼠视网膜光感受器细胞有选择性的毒性作用,该作用呈剂量和时间依赖性。     

Suppression of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced photoreceptor apoptosis in rats by docosahexaenoic acid

We evaluated the effects of dietary intake of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on photoreceptor cell apoptosis caused by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU). Five-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed basal diet (AIN-76A) or DHA diet (modified AIN-76A containing 9.5% DHA) for 2 weeks, and then received a single intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg body weight MNU at 50 days of age. Then, rats continued to receive the same diet or were switched to the opposite diet: group 1, basal diet before and after MNU injection; group 2, DHA diet before MNU injection and basal diet after MNU injection; group 3, basal diet before MNU injection and DHA diet after MNU injection; group 4, DHA diet before and after MNU injection (10 rats in each group). Rats were starved for 24 h, then sacrificed 3 or 7 days after MNU. Morphologically, at 3 days after MNU injection, photoreceptor cell apoptosis was advanced in group 1 compared with group 4. At this time point, as evaluated by retinal damage ratio [(length of retina less than 4 photoreceptor cells thick/whole retinal length) x100], retinal damage was highest in group 1 (82.4 +/- 5.1%), followed by group 2 (41.1 +/- 7.3%), group 3 (24.7 +/- 11.5%), and group 4 (6.6 +/- 6.6%); severity tended to be inversely correlated with serum DHA composition. At 7 days after MNU injection, active signs of photoreceptor cell apoptosis ended in all MNU-treated groups, and retinal damage ratio was high in group 1 (88.4 +/- 2.8%), whereas it remained low in groups 2, 3 and 4 (38.4 +/- 15.2, 45.7 +/- 9.8 and 46.9 +/- 11.2%, respectively). High DHA composition during induction/signaling phase and/or effector phase of photoreceptor cell apoptosis can delay the onset of apoptosis and counteract progression of MNU retinotoxicity in rat retina. DHA may play a role in the suppression of MNU-induced photoreceptor cell apoptosis in rat retina.     

骨髓间充质干细胞(MSCs)对N-甲基-N-亚硝脲(MNU)诱导的C57BL小鼠视网膜变性的治疗作用

目的 观察骨髓间充质干细胞(mesenchymal stem cells,MSCs)对N-甲基-N-亚硝脲(N-methyl-N-nitrosourea,MNU)诱导的C57BL小鼠视网膜色素变性(retinitis pigmentosa,RP)的治疗作用.方法 应用不同剂量(30 mg·kg-1、45 mg·kg-1、60 mg·kg-1、75 mg·kg-1、90 mg·kg-1)的MNU腹腔注射给予C57BL小鼠和MNU作用不同时间(1d、3d、7d)后,通过视网膜电图(electroretinogram,ERG)和HE染色检测小鼠视网膜的电生理功能和组织形态变化,优化建立稳定的RP动物模型的最佳条件;在此动物模型的基础上,经玻璃体内注射和尾静脉注射给予MSCs移植,并应用ERG和HE染色评估MSCs对MNU诱导的RP的治疗作用.结果 与对照组相比,30 mg·kg-、45mg·kg-1剂量的MNU可引起视网膜形态和功能的轻微损伤,而60 mg·kg-1及其以上剂量的MNU可使视网膜ERG波幅明显降低(均为P ＜0.001),视网膜外核层(outer nuclear layer,ONL)厚度明显变薄(P ＜0.001),损伤严重;与对照组相比,60 mg·kg-的MNU作用后1d和3d,视网膜ERG波形开始降低,形态结构开始出现ONL厚度变薄的损伤,作用7d时,ERG波形呈现熄灭型(均为P＜0.001),ONL厚度明显变薄(P ＜0.001),内外核层融合,损伤严重.与MNU单独作用组相比,60 mg·kg-1 MNU作用1d后给予MSCs移植,7d后MSCs组内ONL厚度增加(P ＜0.001),视网膜ERG波形趋于恢复(均为P＜0.001).结论 MSCs移植对MNU诱导的视网膜退行性变有一定的治疗作用.     

半胱氨酸天冬氨酸酶3在遗传性视网膜变性中的表达

目的 观察半胱氨酸天冬氨酸酶3（caspase 3)mRNA在RCS大鼠视网膜中的表达，分析caspase 3特异抑制剂Ac-DEVD-CHO对视细胞凋亡的影响。方法 应用逆转录－多聚酶链反应（RT－PCR）检测RCS大鼠出生后不同时间视网膜中caspase 3 mRNA的表达。应用TUNEL方法检测玻璃体内注射Ac-DEVD-CHO后视细胞凋亡的改变。结果 RCS大鼠出生后14天至60天视网膜caspase 3 mRNA均有表达，25天水平明显升高，达到高峰。SD大鼠视网膜15至60天的表达量无明显差异，与RCS大鼠14天水平接近。caspase 3特异抑制剂Ac-DEVD-CHO能显著抑制视细胞凋亡。结论 caspase 3可能在RCS大鼠视网膜变性视细胞凋亡中起关键作用。     

N-甲-N-亚硝脲对大鼠视网膜光感受器的毒性作用

目的观察N-甲基-N-亚硝脲(N-methyl-N-nitrosourea,MNU)对SD大鼠视网膜光感受器细胞的毒性作用.方法雌性SD大鼠100只,分17组,正常对照组4只,其余组各6只.在大鼠生后50 d,分别一次腹腔注射MNU 50mg/kg、60mg/kg、70mg/kg和80mg/kg.在MNU处理后24、48、72 h和7 d处死大鼠,取眼球,做组织学检查.结果不同剂量的MNU均引起中心视网膜和周边视网膜损伤,其损害的程度与MNU的剂量呈正比.作用24 h后,可见视网膜光感受器细胞核固缩、破坏及光感受器外节部定向紊乱;48 h或72 h后,可见光感受器细胞丧失;7 d后,外颗粒层和光感受层几乎完全消失.结论MNU对大鼠视网膜光感受器细胞有选择性的毒性作用,该作用呈剂量和时间依赖性.     

MNU诱导视网膜变性大鼠bax和bcl-xl的表达及意义

目的检测bax和bcl-xl在N-甲基-N-亚硝脲（MNU）诱导的视网膜变性大鼠中的表达,并探讨其在光感受器细胞凋亡中的意义。方法采用Real-Time PCR法检测正常组和MNU腹腔注射后0.5、1、2、3、5 d大鼠视网膜中bax和bcl-xl的表达,TUNEL法检测各组大鼠视网膜细胞的凋亡。结果正常组视网膜中可检测到bax和bcl-xl的表达,MNU处理后0.5 d,bax表达上升,第1天达顶峰,第5天仍高于正常组;MNU处理后12 h,bcl-xl表达下降,第2天达低谷,第5天仍低于正常组。正常组未见TUNEL阳性细胞,MNU处理后12 h,外核层见少量TUNEL阳性细胞,MNU处理后第2天阳性细胞达顶峰,随后逐渐减少,第5天外核层仍有少量阳性细胞。结论bax和bcl-xl表达量的变化可能在MNU诱导的视网膜变性发病机制中起着重要作用。     

Green tea extract suppresses N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced photoreceptor apoptosis in Sprague-Dawley rats

Background

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited neurodegenerative human diseases characterized by the loss of photoreceptor cells by apoptosis and eventual blindness. A single intraperitoneal (ip) injection of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) causes photoreceptor cell apoptosis within 7 days in rats. Green tea extract (THEA-FLAN 90S; GTE) is a common herbal supplement with pluripotent properties including antioxidant activity. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of GTE against photoreceptor apoptosis in 7-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats that received a single ip injection of 40 mg/kg MNU.

Methods

The oral administration of 250 mg/kg/day GTE was initiated 3 days prior to MNU injection and continued once daily throughout the experiment. Rats were sacrificed at 12, 24, and 72 h and 7 days after MNU injection, and the eyes were examined morphologically and morphometrically. The photoreceptor cell ratio, retinal damage ratio, and retinal preservation ratio were used to determine the structural and functional alterations. The number of apoptotic photoreceptor cells per mm² was determined in situ by TdT-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end labeling (TUNEL). Our results indicated that oral administration of GTE significantly suppressed the loss of photoreceptor cells morphometrically 7 days after MNU injection. The number of TUNEL-positive cells per mm² in MNU-exposed rat central retina with or without GTE administration was 981 vs. 2056 at 24 h after MNU injection.

Conclusions

GTE structurally and functionally suppressed MNU-induced photoreceptor cell apoptosis. These findings indicate that GTE may help to ameliorate the onset and progression of human RP.     

MNU诱导视网膜外层退行变性的细胞电生理和超微结构特征

目的：观察N-甲基-N-亚硝基脲（MNU）诱导的小鼠视网膜外层变性损伤的细胞电生理特征和超微结构变化。方法：实验研究。通过腹腔注射PBS和MNU,将C57/BL小鼠60 只随机分为对照组和MNU造模组。运用膜片钳电生理技术,观察位于外丛状层的双极细胞的电生理活动。用透射电子显微镜观察视网膜的超微结构。结果：膜片钳结果显示,给MNU后7 d,ON型双极细胞（ON-BC）对药物氨基（环丙基）（ 4-膦酰苯基）乙酸电生理反应完全消失,而OFF型双极细胞（OFF-BC）对药物α-氨基-3-羟基-5-甲基-4-异恶唑丙酸的刺激仍有电生理反应。给MNU后2 d,位于光感受器细胞外节（OS）的盘膜结构变薄。给MNU后5 d,OS消失,位于光感受器细胞内节（IS）的线粒体等细胞器严重肿胀。给MNU后10 d,IOS消失,光感受器细胞的核层变薄,核呈不同程度的浓染。下游的双极细胞核周间隙增宽,在双极细胞胞浆中有大量的自噬体。结论：MNU对ON型信号通路的损伤,比对OFF型信号通路的损伤要严重一些。MNU导致的视网膜损伤主要位于外侧（包括外核层和外丛状层）。MNU致光感受器细胞损伤的机制是凋亡。     

半胱氨酸蛋白酶3、bax和bcl-xl在N-甲基-N亚硝酸脲诱导的大鼠视网膜损伤后的表达

目的 观察N-甲基-N亚硝酸脲（MNU）诱导的大鼠视网膜损伤过程中凋亡相关分子半胱氨酸蛋白酶3（caspase-3）、bcl-2相关X蛋白（bax）和B细胞淋巴瘤/白血病-xl（bcl-xl）在视网膜中的时空表达,探讨其在MNU诱导的视网膜损伤中的作用。方法 将鼠龄50 d的30只SPF级雌性SD大鼠随机分为MNU模型组（24只大鼠）和正常对照组（6只大鼠）。模型组按40 mg/kg的剂量腹腔注射MNU建立MNU模型;正常对照组大鼠腹腔注射生理盐水5ml/kg。模型组大鼠根据MNU注射后不同处死时间再分为1、3、7、10 d组,每小组各6只大鼠。正常对照组大鼠注射后3 d处死。逆转录-聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）检测各组视网膜中caspase-3、bax和bcl-xl的基因表达情况;免疫荧光技术检测其在视网膜中的表达以及分布的变化,并用末端脱氧核苷酸转移酶（TdT）介导dUTP 缺口末段标记（TUNEL）法检测视网膜细胞凋亡的变化。结果经病理学检测确定造模成功。RT-PCR检测结果表明,［与正常对照组相比（caspase-3和bax的相对吸光度（RA）值为62.45±7.65、46.53±4.41］,MNU模型1 d 组caspase-3（83.23±8.11,P=0.009）和bax（72.73±9.46,P=0.004）的表达均增强,3 d 组二者表达水平均最高 （caspase-3 RA =140.48±18.40,P=0.000;bax- RA=102.36±13.97,P=0.001）,10 d 组caspase-3的表达水平（RA =47.32±5.37,P=0.027）低于对照组,而10 d bax的表达 （RA=48.27±4.40,P=0.997）基本恢复至对照组水平;bcl-xl在4个造模组中的表达水平（1 d RA =63.29±4.29,P=0.000;3d RA =79.83±5.58,P=0.000;7 d RA=70.19±4.42,P=0.000;10 d RA =66.05±4.97,P=0.000）均高于正常对照组（RA =45.98±3.06）,3 d 组的表达水平最高。MNU诱导后1、3、7 d 组的bax/bcl-xl比值（1 d为1.15±0.14,P=0.143;3 d为1.28±0.16,P=0.001;7 d为1.17±0.08,P=0.079）大于对照组（1.01±0.09）,其中3 d组的比值最大,但10 d 组bax / bcl-xl比值（0.73±0.07,P=0.001）小于对照组。免疫荧光检测结果显示,caspase-3、bax和bcl-xl的表达变化分别与其RT-PCR检测结果一致;正常对照组在视网膜各层均未发现凋亡细胞,MNU 1 d 组的外核层可检测到大量凋亡细胞核［凋亡率（AI）为34.96±3.44,P=0.000］,3 d 组的外核层检测的凋亡细胞最多（AI=76.97±5.83,P=0.000）,10 d 组未检测到凋亡细胞。结论 MNU诱导的视网膜光感受器细胞凋亡可能是通过上调caspase-3及引起bax/bcl-xl表达失衡并明显倾向促进细胞凋亡造成的。     

Dietary docosahexaenoic acid protects against N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced retinal degeneration in rats

The effect of dietary intake of specific types of fatty acids on retinal degeneration due to N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced photoreceptor cell apoptosis was evaluated. Fifty-day-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were given a single intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg kg(-1) body weight of MNU, and were then switched to one of five different diets containing the following fatty acids at the following weight percentages: 10% linoleic acid (LA); 9.5% palmitic acid (PA) and 0.5% LA; 9.5% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 0.5% LA; 4.75% EPA, 4.75% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and 0.5% LA; or 9.5% DHA and 0.5% LA. When rats developed MNU-induced mammary tumors with a diameter of > or =1 cm, or at the termination of the experiment (20 weeks after MNU injection), retinal tissue samples were obtained and examined. Incidence and severity of retinal damage were compared by histologic examination. MNU-induced retinal degeneration was prevented in rats fed the diet containing 9.5% DHA (4.75% DHA was less effective), whereas it was accelerated in rats fed the 10% LA diet. Over the course of the 20-week experimental period, the fatty acid composition of serum reflected differences in dietary fatty acids. The present results indicate that a diet containing 9.5% DHA can counteract MNU retinotoxicity in the rat retina. DHA may play a role in protection against MNU-induced photoreceptor cell apoptosis in the rat retina.     

N-甲基-N-亚硝脲对猫视网膜光感受器细胞损害的研究

背景合理的视网膜色素变性（RP）动物模型的建立方法是进行RP干预和治疗的重要工具和手段。研究证实,N-甲基-N-亚硝脲（MNU）可造成哺乳动物光感受器细胞的选择性损害,但是否MNU可用于建立RP动物模型的报道较少。目的评估MNU对猫视网膜光感受器细胞的毒性损害作用。方法20只2岁龄的猫一次性股静脉注射MNU,并按照注射剂量的不同分为20、25、30、35、40mg／kgMNU组,每组4只。另外4只猫股静脉注射等量生理盐水作为对照组。MNU注射后每日观察实验猫的行为变化、瞳孔大小及对光反射情况,分别于注射后24h、72h、7d和14d用静脉注射过量的质量分数2％戊巴比妥钠处死实验猫,眼球摘除后制备视网膜切片进行组织病理学检查,评估不同剂量MNU对视网膜光感受器的影响。结果不同剂量MNU组的实验猫注射MNU7d后瞳孔散大,对光反射迟钝。MNU注射24h,猫视网膜光感受器细胞的损害以核固缩和排列紊乱为主,MNU注射72h,视网膜光感受器细胞的损害以外核层变薄和细胞碎裂为主,MNU注射7d后,40mg／kg注射组的实验猫均死亡,光感受器细胞层仅存在极少量细胞,MNU注射14d,视网膜光感受器细胞层均完全消失。各组视网膜损害程度与注射MNU剂量有关。结论MNU可以造成猫视网膜光感受器细胞的严重损害,MNU对视网膜光感受器的作用呈时间和剂量依赖性。     

Interleukin-1beta mediates ischemic injury in the rat retina.

Two types of experiment were performed to examine the role of interleukin-1beta in ischemia-induced damage in the rat retina. In the in vivo study, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to investigate the expression of immunoreactive interleukin-1beta in the rat retina following a hypertension-induced ischemia/reperfusion, while the effect of a recombinant human interleukin-1 receptor antagonist or an anti-interleukin-1beta neutralizing antibody on the ischemia-induced damage was examined histologically. A transient increase in the expression of immunoreactive interleukin-1beta was observed in the retina 3-12 hr after reperfusion, and morphometric evaluation at 7 days after the ischemia showed a decrease in cell numbers in the ganglion cell layer and a decreased thickness of the inner plexiform layer with no change in the other retinal layers. Intravitreal injection of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (1 or 10 ng per eye) or anti-interleukin-1beta antibody (50 or 500 ng per eye) 5 min before the onset of the ischemia reduced the damage. In the in vitro study, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (500 ng ml(-1)) significantly reduced glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in rat cultured retinal neurons. These results suggest that interleukin-1 plays an important role in mediating ischemic and excitotoxic damage in the retina, and that interleukin-1 inhibitors may be therapeutically useful against neuronal injury caused by optic nerve or retinal diseases such as glaucoma and central retinal artery or vein occlusion.     

The effects of L-and D-ascorbic acid administration on retinal tissue levels and light damage in rats.

To assess the protective effect of ascorbic acid in retinal light damage of rats, we have determined the uptake and retinal tissue distributions of its L- and D- stereoisomers following interperitoneal or intraocular injections. The effects of intense-intermittent light exposure and darkness on tissue ascorbate were compared by measuring its levels in retina and retinal pigment epithelial tissues at various times after administration. The protective effects of the two forms of ascorbate against retinal light damage were also compared by measuring rhodopsin levels 2 weeks after intense light exposure. After interperitoneal injection, both forms of ascorbic acid were higher in the retinal pigment epithelial-choroid-scleral complex (eye cup) than in the retina. Over a 2 hr post-injection period, L-ascorbate in the eye cup was 2 to 4 fold higher than normal (10-11 nmol); D-ascorbate levels were between 15 and 30 nmol. During the same period retinal L-ascorbate was just above normal (12-14 nmol), whereas less than 5 nmol of D-ascorbate was present. When ascorbate was given by the intraocular route the opposite effect was found. During the 2 hr post-injection period retinal L-ascorbate levels were 2 to 5 fold higher than normal; D-ascorbate was between 25 and 50 nmol/retina. Within 1 hr post-injection, L-ascorbate in the eye cup was near normal and D-ascorbate levels were 10 nmol or less. In uninjected rats perfused with normal saline, the endogenous L-ascorbate was distributed 55% in the retina with 9% and 36%, respectively, in the RPE-choroid and sclera. Ten-thirty min after interperitoneal peritoneal injection about 40% of the L-ascorbate was present in the retina with 17% and 44% in the RPE-choroid and sclera. Total ascorbate (L + D) levels in the same tissues of D- injected rats were similar to those found for rats given L-ascorbate. Following 7 hrs of darkness, tissue ascorbate levels in the injected rats decreased to approximately the same levels present in uninjected animals. For rats exposed to intense light average retinal ascorbate levels decreased further, while RPE-choroid and scleral levels were largely unchanged from the dark control levels. About 50% of the tissue ascorbate was present in the retina 10-30 min after intraocular injection. The RPE-choroid contained between 10 and 14% of the ascorbate, with 35-40% present in the sclera. Retinal ascorbate levels remained high in the injected eyes following 2.5 hrs of darkness, but decreased as a result of intense light treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Optical coherence tomography after photodynamic therapy for patients with pathologic myopia

PURPOSE: To evaluate early changes after photodynamic therapy (PDT) for patients with subfoveal choroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to pathologic myopia by optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: PDT was performed on 10 eyes of 10 patients who presented with subfoveal CNV due to pathologic myopia. OCT was used to evaluate changes 1 day, 3 days, and 7 days after therapy. Changes in intraretinal and subretinal fluid and CNV were examined on the images obtained. The retinal elevation and the height of the neurosensory retinal detachment were calculated. From these two values, the thickness of the neurosensory retina was obtained. The thickness of the neurosensory retina was measured to ascertain the intraretinal fluid change, and the height of the neurosensory retinal detachment was measured to ascertain the subretinal fluid change. RESULTS: The mean pretherapy retinal elevation+/-SD increased from 211+/-28 microm to 230+/-39 microm 1 day after PDT and decreased to 221+/-36 microm 3 days after therapy. At 7 days after therapy, the mean retinal elevation+/-SD was 211+/-22 microm. The retinal elevation was due to a subretinal fluid accumulation, whereas the thickness of the neurosensory retina increased only to a minor extent (range, 0-22 microm) and the foveal architecture remained unchanged. The mean pretherapy height+/-SD of the neurosensory retinal detachment was 6+/-11 microm. It was 18+/-20 microm, 12+/-12 microm, and 3+/-6 microm 1 day, 3 days, and 7 days after therapy, respectively. No change in CNV was observed during follow-up. CONCLUSION: The results of our study indicate that the acute infiltration observed in patients with pathologic myopia after PDT occurs in the first day and regresses during the first week. Yet, it should be noted that, unlike in patients with age-related macular degeneration, the acute infiltration phase can be observed by OCT only to a limited extent.     

Retinal degeneration induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea in Syrian golden hamsters

 · Background: The sequential retinal changes in Syrian golden hamsters induced by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) have not been studied. · Methods: Female hamsters received a single intraperitoneal injection of 90 mg/kg MNU at 50 days of age, and the retina was examined light and electron microscopically, immunohistochemically and by the TdT-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method until 20 weeks after the treatment. · Results: The retinal changes were as follows: (1) Photoreceptor apoptosis occurred 1 day after the treatment and resulted in photoreceptor loss at day 7. During the degeneration, Müller cell proliferation was conspicuous at day 5. (2) After the photoreceptor cell loss, migration of the pigment epithelial cells in all layers of the retina which were in contact with blood vessels occurred. Due to the Müller cell proliferation, gliosis was prominent at the later stage. · Conclusions: The MNU injection caused photoreceptor apoptosis followed by pigment epithelial cell migration around the blood vessels, accompanied by gliosis. The primary event and the course of this disease closely resemble those of retinitis pigmentosa in humans. Received: 6 August 1997 Revised version received: 26 November 1997 Accepted: 7 January 1998     

Role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase in glutamate-stimulated apoptosis of rat retinal ganglion cells

PURPOSE: To investigate the involvement of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway after intravitrevous injection of glutamate in rat retina. METHODS: Three groups of five Sprague-Dawley rats each were studied. Group I was a normal control group, intravitreal saline injections. In Group II, one eye received an intravitreal glutamate injection (375 nmol, dissolved in saline) while the contralateral eye served as control. In Group III, intravitreal PD98059 (100 micro mol, an inhibitor of ERK) injections were administered 1 hr before glutamate injections. Seven days after injections, phosphorylated (activated) ERK in retina was localized by immunohistochemistry and fluorescent double labeling of retinal cryosections. Specific ERK blockade was documented to assess the functional significance of activated ERK. TUNEL staining was performed to assess apoptotic cell death. RESULTS: Expression of phosphorylated ERK in rat retina was observed in the inner nuclear layer, the outer nuclear layer, and the nerve fiber layer after 3 days intravitreous injection of glutamate, increasing significantly after 7 days. Double immunofluorescence labling demonstrated that the increased retinal immunostaining for phospho-ERK was predominantly localized to the retinal Müller cells after 7 days intravitreous injection of glutamate. Moreover, blocking activation of ERK significantly improved the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the eyes receiving intravitreal PD98059 injections compared with the eyes receiving glutamate injections. CONCLUSIONS: The ERK pathway is involved in signal transduction in the retina after excessive stimulation by glutamate, which may contribute to the antiapoptotic role in retinal ganglion cell death induced by glutamate.