The Protective Effect of AICAR on the Neural Retina during Inflammation in mice

Abstract

Purpose: : Recently, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAR), an activator of AMP-activated protein kinase, has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of AICAR on the neural retina during inflammation, using a mouse model of endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU).

Methods: : The EIU model was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Each animal was given an intraperitoneal injection of AICAR (250mg/kg) or a vehicle 3 hours before the LPS injection. Effects of AICAR were evaluated at 24 hours after LPS injection. Visual function was analyzed by electroretinogram (ERG). Protein level of rhodopsin in the retina was measured by immunoblot analysis, and the morphological change was analyzed in the retinal sections.

Results: : Impairment of a-wave response recorded by ERG, which represents photoreceptor dysfunction, in the EIU model mice was avoided by administration of AICAR. Rhodopsin protein level and the length of photoreceptor outer segments were reduced in the retina of EIU model mice, however, these changes were both avoided by AICAR treatment.

Conclusions: : The AICAR had a neuroprotective effect on the photoreceptor cells during retinal inflammation.

Keywords: inflammation • electroretinography: non-clinical • uveitis-clinical/animal model