Retinal toxicity of intravitreous octreotide in the rabbit.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the ocular toxicity of intravitreous octreotide.


METHODS
New Zealand white rabbits weighing approximately 2 kg were given 5 mg (group 1, two eyes), 2 mg (group 2, four eyes), 1 mg (group 3, four eyes), 0.5 mg (group 4, two eyes), 0.3 mg (group 5, two eyes) or 0.1 mg (group 7, two eyes) of octreotide acetate, two doses of 0.3 mg 1 week apart (group 6, four eyes) or 0.1 mL of balanced salt solution (group 8 [control group], two eyes).


METHODS
Findings on clinical examination and electroretinography, performed before and 10 days after injection, and on light microscopy.


RESULTS
Cataracts developed in groups 1 and 2. No clinical changes were found in groups 3 to 8. Electroretinography showed various degrees of decrease in the b-wave amplitude in groups 1 and 2; the results were normal in groups 3 to 8. Histologic examination showed macrophage and monocyte infiltration in the vitreous and retina in group 1. No histologic change was seen in the eyes in groups 2 to 8.


CONCLUSIONS
Octreotide injected intravitreally is safe at dosages of 1 mg or less.
Liang
C
C
LSU Eye Center, New Orleans, LA 70112-2234, USA.
Peyman
G A
GA
Conway
M D
MD
Woltering
E A
EA
D000818:Animals; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004596:Electroretinography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006728:Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D007267:Injections; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D015282:Octreotide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
D006728:Hormones; D015282:Octreotide