Protective effect of docosahexaenoic acid against retinal ischemic injury: an electroretinographic study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can reduce the retinal damage induced by transient retinal ischemia.


METHODS
Retinal ischemia was induced by increasing intraocular pressure (IOP). Retinal circulation was restored by lowering IOP. An intraperitoneal injection of 1,000 mg/kg of DHA-ester (DHA-E) was given 5 h before the ischemia. Electroretinograms were recorded just before the ischemia and at 60-min intervals up to 4 h after circulation was restored.


RESULTS
The ratio of the amplitudes after the ischemia to that just before ischemia was significantly higher in eyes administered DHA-E than in controls at each time point (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
DHA-E is effective in protecting the retina against transient retinal ischemia.
Miyauchi
O
O
Department of Ophthalmology, Chiba University School of Medicine, Inohana 1-8-1, Chuo-ku, Chiba City, Chiba 260-8670, Japan. miyaucho@ho.chiba-u.ac.jp
Mizota
A
A
Adachi-Usami
E
E
Nishikawa
M
M
D000818:Animals; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004596:Electroretinography; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids