title: Retinal toxicity of 6-methoxypurine arabinoside (ara-M). A new selective and potent inhibitor of varicella-zoster virus.
abstract: The toxicity of a new antiviral agent, 6-methoxypurine arabinoside (ara-M), as a selective and potent inhibitor against varicella-zoster virus, was investigated after intravitreal injection in rabbit eyes. Intravitreal doses of ara-M ranging from 20 micrograms to 400 micrograms produced no retinal toxicity, as assessed by electroretinography and light and transmission electron microscopy. These data suggest a potential role for intravitreal ara-M in the antiviral treatment of varicella-zoster viral retinitis.
authors.affiliation: Louisiana State University Eye Center, Louisiana State University Medical Center School of Medicine, New Orleans.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karaçorlu
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Peyman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karaçorlu
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dunlap
authors.forename: K F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Soike
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D001087:Arabinonucleosides / Q000633:toxicity*; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000187:drug effects; D015828:Eye Infections, Viral / Q000188:drug therapy; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000187:drug effects*; D007267:Injections; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011817:Rabbits; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012173:Retinitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D014822:Vitreous Body
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D001087:Arabinonucleosides; C069956:6-methoxypurine arabinoside