[Sulfur hexafluoride gas, perfluorocarbon liquid, air and balanced salt solution retinal toxicity in rabbit eyes].
OBJECTIVE
To determine retinal toxicity after intravitreous balanced salt solution, sulfur hexafluoride gas, and perfluorocarbon liquid injection in rabbit eyes.


METHODS
Twenty-two eyes of sixteen New Zealand albino rabbits were divided into groups: balanced salt solution (7 eyes); sulfur hexafluoride gas (4 eyes); and perfluorocarbon liquid (5 eyes). After the introduction of a needle through the sclera the vitreous was aspirated (0.3 ml), balanced salt solution, sulfur hexafluoride gas 100% and perfluorocarbon liquid (0.3 ml) were injected into rabbit vitreous cavity. The control group (6 eyes) was not submitted to any procedure. After three weeks the vitreous was aspirated and submitted to biochemical analysis and the eyes prepared for histological analysis.


RESULTS
The eyes submitted to perfluorocarbon liquid and sulfur hexafluoride gas injection showed a greater L-glutamate increase in the vitreous compared to balanced salt solution and control groups (p<0.05). Histological results confirmed small changes in the sulfur hexafluoride group and important lesions in perfluorocarbon liquid group, such as external photoreceptor segment disruption, external and internal plexiform layer thinning, ganglionar and internal nuclear layer decrease of nucleus number, edema, and presence of macrophages in the superficial layers. No major histological changes were observed with balanced salt solution and in control groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Liquid intravitreous injection of sulfur hexafluoride gas and perfluorocarbon are potentially toxic to rabbit retina, compared to control and balanced salt solution groups.
Souza
Eduardo Vieira de
EV
Departamento de Oftalmologia, Otorrinolaringologia e Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, SP. esmvsouza@yahoo.com.br
Aihara
Teruo
T
Souza
Nivaldo Vieira de
NV
Coutinho Neto
Joaquim
J
D000388:Air; D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000633:toxicity*; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000633:toxicity; D011817:Rabbits; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects*; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000601:surgery; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000633:toxicity*; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride / Q000633:toxicity*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000187:drug effects
D005466:Fluorocarbons; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride