[Chronic ethanol feeding induces oxidative stress in the rat retina: treatment with the antioxidant ebselen].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the involvement of biochemical and functional changes to the retina after chronic ethanol intake in adult rats, and the capacity of the antioxidant ebselen to prevent these changes.


METHODS
Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the study. They were fed an ethanol-containing liquid diet, whereas a control group was given an ethanol-free isocaloric diet. After six weeks of experiment, the eyes were extracted and homogenized without the lens, and markers of oxidative stress were assayed, i.e., glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) as an intracellular antioxidant and a lipid peroxidation product, respectively. Moreover, retinal function was assessed by electroretinogram (ERG).


RESULTS
The retinal MDA concentration was significantly increased in the ethanol-fed animals compared to controls, whereas the GSH content was significantly reduced in the ethanol-fed group compared to controls. Ethanol also induced a decrease in ERG b-wave amplitude. Ebselen treatment restored the MDA and GSH concentrations and ERG b-wave amplitude to control values.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that chronic alcohol consumption alone and without the influence of nutritional factors alters the retinal redox status as well as its function (ERG). Further studies are required to better understand the protective mechanism of ebselen in this experimental model of chronic alcoholism.
Fundación Oftalmológica del Mediterráneo, Valencia, España.
S
S
Johnsen-Soriano
J M
JM
Genovés
B
B
Romero
S
S
García-Delpech
M
M
Muriach
M
M
Sancho-Tello
F
F
Bosch-Morell
F J
FJ
Romero
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001393:Azoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D054833:Isoindoles; D008297:Male; D016566:Organoselenium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*
D000975:Antioxidants; D001393:Azoles; D054833:Isoindoles; D016566:Organoselenium Compounds; D000431:Ethanol; C042986:ebselen