[The protective effect of ligustrazine on optic nerve axons in rabbit eyes with continuous elevated IOP].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of ligustrazine on optic nerve axons in rabbit eyes with continuous elevated intraocular pressure (IOP).


METHODS
Thirty-six NZ rabbits with continuous elevated IOP induced by injection of alpha-chymotrypsin into anterior chamber were divided into two groups by randomization: treatment and control group. Ten mg/kg ligustrazine injected into the treatment group every day for 3 weeks began on the 7(th) day after IOP elevated continuously. The changes of conjunctival microcirculation and optic nerve axonal ultrastructure were observed at different time points.


RESULTS
The destruction of conjunctival microcirculation and axonal ultrastructure was milder in treatment group than that in the control group. In addition, the total number of axons and the percentage of axons in optic nerve area were higher, whereas the axonal diameter was smaller in the treatment group.


CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that ligustrazine protect optic nerve axons from more damage induced by elevated IOP through improving ocular microcirculation.
Li
X
X
Central laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical College, Shandong 261031, China.
Yang
L
L
Kang
F
F
Zhang
S
S
Li
G
G
Han
Y
Y
Zhai
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000098:blood supply; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009798:Ocular Hypertension; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D011719:Pyrazines; C017953:tetramethylpyrazine