[Effects of recombinant human erythropoietin on hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha expression in the retina of rabbits with acute high intraocular pressure].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) on the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) in the retina of rabbits with acute high intraocular pressure and investigate the mechanism of rhEPO in protecting the retina from ischemia-reperfusion injury.


METHODS
Acute high intraocular pressure was induced in the rabbits by perfusion of normal saline into the anterior chamber, and rhEPO was injected subcutaneously. The changes in HIF-1alpha protein expression in the retina was observed by immunohistochemistry on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 after retinal ischemia- reperfusion.


RESULTS
HIF-1alpha expression was not observed in the retina of the normal control rats, but intense HIF-1alpha expression was found in the model group (P<0.01). In rabbits with rhEPO injection and those in the model group, the patterns of HIF-1alpha expression alterations were similar, but the HIF-1alpha-positive cells in the retina were significantly fewer in rhEPO group (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
rhEPO can down-regulate HIF-1alpha expression in the retina of rabbits with acute high intraocular pressure, which may be one of the mechanisms that rhEPO protects the retina from ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Wang
Jian-ming
JM
Department of Ophthalmology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an 710004, China. xajdwjm@163.com
Song
Yan-ping
YP
Sun
Nai-xue
NX
Hui
Na
N
Zhao
Shi-ping
SP
Hu
Kai
K
D000818:Animals; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / Q000378:metabolism*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000378:metabolism*; D011817:Rabbits; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism*; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000378:metabolism
D051795:Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin