advertisement
Abstract #12372 Published in IGR 7-2
Microvessels of the human optic nerve head: ultrastructural and radioreceptorial changes in eyes with increased IOP
Feher J; Pescosolido N; Leali FM; Cavallotti CCanadian Journal of Ophthalmology 2005; 40: 492-498
BACKGROUND: Ultrastructural, morphological modifications in the microvessels of the optic nerve head were studied in human eyes with normal intraocular pressure (IOP), with slightly increased IOP, and with strongly increased IOP. Moreover, the distribution of β-adrenergic receptors was analyzed in the same samples. METHODS: Six enucleated human eyes were studied. Small pieces of the optic nerve head and of iridocorneal angle (including trabecular meshwork) were dissected immediately after autopsy. The sections were studied with transmission electron microscopy and autoradiography. Radiolabelled pindolol was used to locate β-adrenergic receptors topographically on fresh sections of human eye. RESULTS: Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that elevated IOP induces ultrastructural modifications of the microvessels of the optic nerve head. Autoradiographic experiments showed the presence and distribution of β-adrenergic receptors in the optic nerve head of eyes with both normal and increased IOP. INTERPRETATION: Increased IOP initially compresses the microvessels of the optic nerve head. The number of β-adrenergic receptors increased markedly in the eyes with raised IOP. Further studies are needed to clarify the physiological and pathological roles of these receptors.
Dr. Carlo Cavallotti, Section of Human Anatomy, Department of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences, University of Rome La Sapienza, Via A. Borelli 50, 00161 Rome, Italy
Classification:
2.14 Optic disc (Part of: 2 Anatomical structures in glaucoma)
3 Laboratory methods
