Effects of dihydrogenation of flavones and number of hydroxy groups in the molecules on ocular blood flow in rabbits and retinal function recovery in rats.
OBJECTIVE
It has been found that the number of hydroxy groups in the molecule of flavones and flavanones affect the ocular blood flow significantly. However, the effects of dihydrogenation of flavones into flavanones on ocular blood flow and retinal function recovery have not been studied and required investigation.


METHODS
The colored microsphere technique and electroretinography method were used for the study of ocular blood flow and retinal function, respectively.


RESULTS
Maximum effects on ocular blood flow were obtained when there were 3 hydroxy groups in the molecule of flavones and flavanones. Dihydrogenation of flavones to flavanones increased the ocular blood flow further. The same is true for retinal function recovery after ischemic insult.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that hydrogenation is an excellent way to convert natural flavones into more potent compounds of flavanones.
Institute of Ocular Pharmacology, Department of Medical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Texas A&M University System, Health Science Center College of Medicine, College Station, TX., USA.
Xin-Rong
XR
Xu
Young-Hyun
YH
Park
George C Y
GC
Chiou
D000818:Animals; D005123:Eye / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D047309:Flavones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D006865:Hydrogenation; D006878:Hydroxides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D007511:Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D047309:Flavones; D006878:Hydroxides; C031356:hydroxide ion