title: The Vigabatrin Induced Retinal Toxicity is Associated with Photopic Exposure and Taurine Deficiency: An In Vivo Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Retinal toxicity is one of the most commonly discussed and concerning adverse effects of vigabatrin (VGB). The present study explored the relationship between the VGB elicited retinal toxicity, photopic exposure, and taurine deficiency, aiming at screening for risk factors to minimize the adverse effects of VGB.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effects of VGB on function and morphology of mouse retinas were examined via a series of in vivo tests, including electroretinography (ERG), Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and optokinetic testing. Moreover, VGB-treated mice were in addition treated with taurine to verify possible protective effects against retinal toxicity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A close relationship between VGB induced retinal toxicity and light exposure was observed. The VGB-treated mice which were reared in darkness preserved better visual function and retinal architectures as verified by the optokinetic tests, OCT and ERG examinations. The retinal taurine level of the VBG-treated mice which were exposed to light were significantly lower than that of the VBG mice reared in darkness. Furthermore, several in vivo evidence provided by our research confirmed that the VGB induced morphological and functional impairments could be partially alleviated by taurine treatment. The present study showed the retinal toxicity of VGB by in vivo measurements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The VGB induced retinal toxicity is closely associated with photopic exposure and taurine deficiency. Patients who are taking VGB might benefit from minimization of light exposure and dietetic taurine supplements.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Chinese PLA, Beijing, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Ye
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Jixue
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Zhao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Zhongjun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Ce
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jianjie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Yunqin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yi Fei
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004596:Electroretinography; D008027:Light; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013654:Taurine / Q000172:deficiency*; D013997:Time Factors; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D020888:Vigabatrin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D013654:Taurine; D020888:Vigabatrin