Effects of l-arginine on anatomical and electrophysiological deterioration of the eye in a rodent model of nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy

Purpose The aims of this study were to clarify the effectiveness of l -arginine (1) for reducing the severity of anatomical changes in the eye and improving visual function in the acute stage of a rodent model of nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (rNAION) and (2) in preventing those changes in...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Japanese journal of ophthalmology 2013-07, Vol.57 (4), p.402-409
Main Authors: Chuman, Hideki, Maekubo, Tomoyuki, Osako, Takako, Ishiai, Michitaka, Kawano, Naoko, Nao-i, Nobuhisa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Arginine - administration & dosage
Cell Survival - drug effects
Disease Models, Animal
Electroretinography
Evoked Potentials, Visual - drug effects
Follow-Up Studies
Infusions, Intravenous
Laboratory Investigation
Male
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Ophthalmology
Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic - drug therapy
Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic - pathology
Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic - physiopathology
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Retinal Ganglion Cells - drug effects
Retinal Ganglion Cells - pathology
Tomography, Optical Coherence
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Purpose The aims of this study were to clarify the effectiveness of l -arginine (1) for reducing the severity of anatomical changes in the eye and improving visual function in the acute stage of a rodent model of nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (rNAION) and (2) in preventing those changes in anatomy and visual function. Methods For the first aim, l -arginine was intravenously injected into rats 3 h after rNAION induction; for the second aim, rNAION was induced after the oral administration of l -arginine for 7 days. The inner retinal thickness was determined over time by optical coherence tomography, and the amplitude of the scotopic threshold response (STR) and the number of surviving retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) were measured. These data were compared with the baseline data from the control group. Results Both intravenous infusion of l -arginine after rNAION induction and oral pretreatment with l -arginine significantly decreased optic disc edema in the acute stage and thinning of the inner retina, reduced the decrease in STR amplitude, and reduced the decrease in the number of RGCs during rNAION. Conclusion Based on these results, we conclude that l -arginine treatment is effective for reducing anatomical changes in the eye and improving visual function in the acute stage of rNAION and that pretreatment with l -arginine is an effective therapy to reduce the severity of the condition during recurrence in the other eye.
ISSN:0021-5155
1613-2246
DOI:10.1007/s10384-013-0250-z