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Abstract #92295 Published in IGR 22-1

Melatonin Prevents Non-image-Forming Visual System Alterations Induced by Experimental Glaucoma in Rats

González Fleitas MF; Devouassoux J; Aranda ML; Dieguez HH; Calanni JS; Iaquinandi A; Sande PH; Dorfman D; Rosenstein RE
Molecular Neurobiology 2021; 58: 3653-3664


Glaucoma is a blindness-causing disease that involves selective damage to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons. A subset of RGCs expressing the photopigment melanopsin regulates non-image-forming visual system functions, such as pupillary light reflex and circadian rhythms. We analyzed the effect of melatonin on the non-image-forming visual system alterations induced by experimental glaucoma. For this purpose, male Wistar rats were weekly injected with vehicle or chondroitin sulfate into the eye anterior chamber. The non-image-forming visual system was analyzed in terms of (1) melanopsin-expressing RGC number, (2) anterograde transport from the retina to the olivary pretectal nucleus and the suprachiasmatic nuclei, (3) blue- and white light-induced pupillary light reflex, (4) light-induced c-Fos expression in the suprachiasmatic nuclei, (5) daily rhythm of locomotor activity, and (6) mitochondria in melanopsin-expressing RGC cells. Melatonin prevented the effect of experimental glaucoma on melanopsin-expressing RGC number, blue- and white light-induced pupil constriction, retina-olivary pretectal nucleus, and retina- suprachiasmatic nuclei communication, light-induced c-Fos expression in the suprachiasmatic nuclei, and alterations in the locomotor activity daily rhythm. In addition, melatonin prevented the effect of glaucoma on melanopsin-expressing RGC mitochondrial alterations. These results support that melatonin protected the non-image-forming visual system against glaucoma, probably through a mitochondrial protective mechanism.

Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry and Experimental Ophthalmology, Department of Human Biochemistry, School of Medicine/CEFyBO, University of Buenos Aires/CONICET, Paraguay 2155, 5P, (1121), Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Full article

Classification:

5.1 Rodent (Part of: 5 Experimental glaucoma; animal models)
3.8 Pharmacology (Part of: 3 Laboratory methods)
11.8 Neuroprotection (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)



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