Comparison between PACAP- and enriched environment-induced retinal protection in MSG-treated newborn rats.
Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) and its receptors occur throughout the nervous system, including the retina. PACAP exerts diverse actions in the eye: it influences ocular blood flow, contraction of the ciliary muscle, and has retinoprotective effects. This effect has been proven in different models of retinal degeneration. We have previously shown that PACAP protects against monosodium-glutamate (MSG)-induced damage in neonatal rats. The beneficial effects of enriched environment, another neuroprotective strategy, have long been known. Environmental enrichment has been shown to decrease different neuronal injuries. It also influences the development of the visual system. We have recently demonstrated that significant neuroprotection can be achieved in MSG-induced retinal degeneration in animals kept in an enriched environment. Combination of neuroprotective strategies often results in increased protection. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare the two neuroprotective strategies alone and in combination therapy. We found that both PACAP and environmental enrichment led to a similar degree of retinal protection, but the two treatments together did not lead to increased protection: their effects were not additive.
Department of Anatomy, University of Pecs, 7624 Pecs, Szigeti u 12, Hungary. peter.kiss@aok.pte.hu
Peter
P
Kiss
Tamas
T
Atlasz
Krisztina
K
Szabadfi
Gabor
G
Horvath
Monika
M
Griecs
Jozsef
J
Farkas
Attila
A
Matkovits
Gabor
G
Toth
Andrea
A
Lubics
Andrea
A
Tamas
Robert
R
Gabriel
Dora
D
Reglodi
D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D004777:Environment; D006799:Housing, Animal; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009676:Noxae / Q000633:toxicity; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012970:Sodium Glutamate / Q000009:adverse effects
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D009676:Noxae; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D012970:Sodium Glutamate