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AIM: To explore the effect of hypericin on retinal ganglion cell in chronic ocular hypertension rabbits. METHODS: Twenty rabbits were used to build chronic ocular hypertension model by posterior chamber injection of alpha-chymotrypsin. Ten days after successful model creation, hypericin 0.1 ml or saline 0.1 ml was injected into the vitreous cavity once a week for two weeks. Retinal ganglion cell of these eyes and that of four normal rabbit eyes were observed by light microscopy and electron microscopy. The thinckness of inner retina layer was examined. RESULTS: The number of retinal ganglion cell in saline-treated group decreased significantly. There was serious cell degradation with perinuclear condensation of chromatin and swelling organelles, but the change was slight in hypericin-treated group. The difference of the thickness of inner retina layer between the two groups was significant (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Intravitreal injection of hypericin as a protein kinase C antagonist can protect the retinal ganglion cell in chronic ocular hypertension rabbits. LA: Chinese
Dr. S. Li, Department of Opthalmology, Union Hospital, Huanzhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022 Hubei Province, China. ashuangli@126.com
5 Experimental glaucoma; animal models
11.8 Neuroprotection (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)