title: Protective effects of systemic treatment with methylprednisolone in a rodent model of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (rAION).
abstract: This study investigated the protective effects of the administration of steroids on optic nerves (ON) and retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in a rodent model of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (rAION). We induced rAION using rose bengal and argon laser irradiation in a photodynamic procedure on the optic discs of rats. The treated groups received methylprednisolone (MP) via peritoneal injection for 2 weeks. The control group received intraperitoneal injections of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) post-rAION. At the 4th week post-infarct, MP treatments significantly rescued the RGCs (mm(2)) in the central retinas (1920 ± 210, p < 0.001) and mid-peripheral retinas (950 ± 240, respectively, p = 0.018) compared with those of the PBS-treated rats (central: 900 ± 210 and mid-peripheral: 440 ± 180). Functional assessment with flash visual-evoked potentials demonstrated that P1 latency (ms) was shortened in the MP group compared to the PBS group (108 ± 14 and 147 ± 9, respectively, p < 0.001). In addition, the P1 amplitude (uV) was enhanced in the MP group compared to the PBS group (55 ± 12 and 41 ± 13, respectively, p < 0.05). TUNEL assays showed a decrease in the number of apoptotic cells in the RGC layers of MP-treated retinas compared to the PBS-treated group (p < 0.05). ED1 positive cells (/HPF) were significantly decreased in the ONs of the MP group compared to the PBS group (p < 0.001). In conclusion, systemic administration of MP had neuroprotective effects on RGC survival and ON function in the rAION animal model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Banciao District, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Tzu-Lun
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shun-Ping
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chung-Hsing
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Taiwan Adventist Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kung-Hung
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Banciao District, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shu-Wen
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Eye Research, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan; Institute of Medical Sciences, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan. Electronic address: rktsai@tzuchi.com.tw.
authors.forename: Rong-Kung
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000187:drug effects; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D008776:Methylprednisolone Hemisuccinate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D018917:Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008776:Methylprednisolone Hemisuccinate
keywords: Methylprednisolone; Optic nerve; Retinal ganglion cell; Rodent model of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy; Visual evoked potential