Abstract
Retinal laser photocoagulation treatments are often complicated with immediate side-effect of visual impairment. To determine whether glutamate-receptor blockers can serve as adjuvant neuroprotective therapy, we examined the effect of MK-801, an NMDA-receptor antagonist, on laser-induced retinal injury in a rat model. Argon laser retinal lesions were created in the retina of 36 DA rats. Treatment with intraperitoneal injections of MK-801 or saline was started immediately after the laser photocoagulation. The animals were sacrificed after 3, 20 or 60 days and the retinal lesions were evaluated histologically and morphometrically. Photoreceptor-cell loss was significantly smaller in MK-801-treated rats than controls. The proliferative membrane composed of retinal pigment epithelial cells which was seen at the base of the lesion in control retinas, was smaller in the MK-801-treated retinas. MK-801 exhibited neuroprotective and anti-proliferative properties in the retina. Glutamate-receptor blockers should be further investigated for serving as adjuvant therapy to retinal photocoagulation treatments.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 158-165 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering |
| Volume | 2974 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1997 |
| Event | Laser and Noncoherent Ocular Effects: Epidemiology, Prevention, and Treatment - San Jose, CA, United States Duration: 10 Feb 1997 → 10 Feb 1997 |
Keywords
- Glutamate
- Laser photocoagulation
- MX-801
- NMDA
- Retina