[Effects of Nomega-nitro-L-arginine on photoreceptor apoptosis in inherited retinal degeneration of RCS rats].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) activity of retina and the effects of N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine(N-Arg) on photoreceptor apoptosis in inherited retinal degeneration of Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats.


METHODS
iNOS activity was assayed in the whole retinal homogenates of RCS rats and Wistar rats by monitoring the conversion rate of (3)H-arginine to (3)H-citrulline. Intravitreal injection of the NOS inhibitor, N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine(N-Arg), in one lateral eye on postnatal days 17 (P17), P22, P27 and P32 was performed, while the other lateral eye was treated with PBS by intravitreal injection as controls. Then the retinas of the RCS rats were studied by TdT-mediated biotin-dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) for apoptosis on P38.


RESULTS
The enzymatic activity of iNOS was elevated in RCS rat retinas on P25. In RCS rats on P38, the percent area of apoptotic photoreceptor nuclei and the thickness of rod and cone layer in the treated group were significantly reduced compared with the controls, while the thickness of outer nuclear layer (ONL) was increased.


CONCLUSIONS
The inhibitor of NOS might supply a potential medicine for inherited retinal degeneration.
Department of Ophthalmology, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University Eye Center, Beijing 100083, China. laj100@sina.com
Ai-jun
AJ
Li
Jun
J
Fang
Xiu-an
XA
Zhu
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology*; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D020419:Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D011922:Rats, Mutant Strains; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester