Effects of mitomycin C on the rat retina.
To evaluate the retinal toxicity of mitomycin C injection in the rat eye, we conducted an electroretinographic study and a histopathologic study. Three different concentrations of mitomycin C (0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 mg/ml) were injected into either the vitreous cavity or the anterior chamber of the experimental eyes. A full-field electroretinogram was recorded before injection and 2, 4 and 7 days after injection. The retinas of all eyes were examined by light and electron microscopy. We found no evidence of electroretinographic and histologic changes 2 and 7 days after injection of 0.4 mg/ml of mitomycin C into the anterior chamber. However, profound electroretinographic changes did follow injection of the drug into the vitreous. These were absent with the 0.2-mg/ml solution at 7 days, mild with the 0.3-mg/ml solution at 7 days and profound with the 0.4-mg/ml solution as early as 2 days. Intravitreal injection of 0.4 mg/ml, however, showed selective degeneration of Müller cell process at day 2, retinal pigment epithelium changes at day 4 and irregular arrangement of the outer nuclear layer and photoreceptors at day 7. Intravitreal injection of mitomycin C in a concentration comparable to the one used clinically could cause retinal disorders, both functionally and histologically.
Kawashima
S
S
Department of Ophthalmology, Chiba University School of Medicine, Japan.
Mizota
A
A
Adachi-Usami
E
E
Kimura
T
T
D000818:Animals; D000867:Anterior Chamber; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004596:Electroretinography; D007267:Injections; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012160:Retina / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014822:Vitreous Body
D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors; D016685:Mitomycin