[Effects of hypericin on traumatic proliferative vitreoretinopathy in rabbits].
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of hypericin on traumatic proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) in rabbits.


METHODS
Traumatic PVR was induced in pigmented rabbits by intravitreal injection of platelet rich plasma. Subsequently, the eyes received an intravitreal injection of saline (0.1 ml), or hypericin (0.1 ml) in doses of 1 microM, 10 microM and 100 microM. The eyes were examined ophthalmoscopically on distinct days after surgery and the stage of PVR was evaluated.


RESULTS
In the control eyes, the retina was detached after 10 days, the PVR had progressed to higher stages over time. In the eyes injected with hypericin, the PVR also developed, however, the severity of PVR on each day was lower than that in control eyes on that day. PVR was significantly inhibited in groups treated with 10 and 100 microM hypericin as compared with the control eyes after 5 days (P < 0.05). Histological examination of the hypericin-treated eyes disclosed no morphological changes, and ERG analysis revealed no significant functional changes.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravitreal injection of hypericin is a safe and effective means of reducing traumatic PVR as an initial step in exploring its potential for clinical treatment of PVR.
Gao
Qianying
Q
Department of Ophthalmology, Xijing Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi' an 710032, China.
Hui
Yannian
Y
Wang
Yusheng
Y
D000818:Animals; D000873:Anthracenes; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000150:complications; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D010569:Perylene / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D011817:Rabbits; D018630:Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000873:Anthracenes; D010569:Perylene; C004965:hypericin; D011493:Protein Kinase C