TY - JOUR
T1 - Photoreceptor degeneration in inherited retinal dystrophy is delayed by melanotropins (melanocytic stimulating hormones)
AU - Naveh, N.
AU - Marshall, J.
PY - 1996/2/15
Y1 - 1996/2/15
N2 - Purpose. We investigated whether Alpha Melanocytic Stimulating Hormone (Alpha-MSH) derivative, a neurotrophic agent, causes a delay in photoreceptor degeneration in RCS rats. Methods. An acetate [Nle4.D-Phe7] Alpha-MSH was injected intramuscularly (i.m.) daily to RCS rats at post natal day 23. Control RCS rats were injected daily i.m. with buffer. Untreated RCS rats served as another control group. The retina was examined by light microscopy, two weeks after treatment's initation. Results. In untreated RCS retinae, at day 38, photoreceptors underwent degeneration, with only 3±0.6 layers visible, as compared with 9-10 rows evident, on day 23. Alpha-MSH analog treated RCS retinae showed, on day 38 a statistically significant preservation of photoreceptors (mean number of rows 6±0.5,p<0.05) when compared to untreated corresponding group. This twofold increase in the thickness of photorecptor layer was similarly evident all across the retina. The injection of PBS had no rescuing effect on photoreceptors. Conclusions. Melanotropins applied systemically, daily, resulted in reduction of the degenerative process of photoreceptors in RCS rats, a "Rescue Effect", acting as survival promoting neurotrophic agents.
AB - Purpose. We investigated whether Alpha Melanocytic Stimulating Hormone (Alpha-MSH) derivative, a neurotrophic agent, causes a delay in photoreceptor degeneration in RCS rats. Methods. An acetate [Nle4.D-Phe7] Alpha-MSH was injected intramuscularly (i.m.) daily to RCS rats at post natal day 23. Control RCS rats were injected daily i.m. with buffer. Untreated RCS rats served as another control group. The retina was examined by light microscopy, two weeks after treatment's initation. Results. In untreated RCS retinae, at day 38, photoreceptors underwent degeneration, with only 3±0.6 layers visible, as compared with 9-10 rows evident, on day 23. Alpha-MSH analog treated RCS retinae showed, on day 38 a statistically significant preservation of photoreceptors (mean number of rows 6±0.5,p<0.05) when compared to untreated corresponding group. This twofold increase in the thickness of photorecptor layer was similarly evident all across the retina. The injection of PBS had no rescuing effect on photoreceptors. Conclusions. Melanotropins applied systemically, daily, resulted in reduction of the degenerative process of photoreceptors in RCS rats, a "Rescue Effect", acting as survival promoting neurotrophic agents.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33750186159&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - ???researchoutput.researchoutputtypes.contributiontojournal.article???
AN - SCOPUS:33750186159
SN - 0146-0404
VL - 37
SP - S502
JO - Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
JF - Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
IS - 3
ER -