March 2012
Volume 53, Issue 14
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   March 2012
Progesterone Administration Effects On An Animal Model Of Retinitis Pigmentosa
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Javier J. Araiz
    Ophthalmology, University of the Basque Country, Getxo, Vizcaya, Spain
  • Violeta Sanchez-vallejo
    Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, Valencia, Spain
  • Miguel Flores-Bellver
    Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, Valencia, Spain
  • Emma Arnal
    Fundación Opftalmológica del Mediterraneo, Valencia, Spain
  • Francisco Javier Romero
    Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica de Valencia ‘San Vicente Mártir’, Valencia, Spain
  • María Miranda
    Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, Valencia, Spain
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  Javier J. Araiz, None; Violeta Sanchez-vallejo, None; Miguel Flores-Bellver, None; Emma Arnal, None; Francisco Javier Romero, None; María Miranda, None
  • Footnotes
    Support  None
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science March 2012, Vol.53, 6410. doi:
  • Views
  • Share
  • Tools
    • Alerts
      ×
      This feature is available to authenticated users only.
      Sign In or Create an Account ×
    • Get Citation

      Javier J. Araiz, Violeta Sanchez-vallejo, Miguel Flores-Bellver, Emma Arnal, Francisco Javier Romero, María Miranda; Progesterone Administration Effects On An Animal Model Of Retinitis Pigmentosa. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2012;53(14):6410.

      Download citation file:


      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

      ×
  • Supplements
Abstract

Purpose: : Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects photoreceptors and causes blindness in humans. Recently, it has been shown that norgestrel prevents photoreceptor cells from undergoing apoptosis in two distinct models of retinal degeneration: the light damage model and the Pde6b(rd10) model. The main purpose of this study was to assess if other sexual steroids hormones could offer protection to the retina in another model of retinal degeneration: the rd1 mouse. The rd1 mouse, is characterized by a mutation in the gene encoding for the beta subunit of the rod photoreceptor PDE6, resulting in no protein expression, general PDE6 dysfunction and accumulation of cGMP with a rapid rod photoreceptor degeneration followed by a mutation-independent, secondary death of cone photoreceptors.

Methods: : Animals were treated in accordance to the ARVO statement for the use of animals in ophthalmic and vision research. 5 mg/kg of progesterone were administered orally to rd1 mice at postnatal days 5, 7, 9 an 11. Animals were sacrificed on postnatal day 12. Histological evaluation was performed usin hematoxylin/eosin and avidin staining, as well as in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay.

Results: : Many of the rd1 photoreceptors at postnatal day 12 displayed oxidative DNA damage and TUNEL positive reactions. Progesterone administration did not decrease oxidative DNA damage but improved cell survival at the periphery of the retina.

Conclusions: : Further studies are needed to confirm the mechanism of action of progesterone and the role of other sexual steroid hormones in Retinitis Pigmentosa and other retinal degenerations.Acknowledgements

Keywords: retina • retinitis • neuroprotection 
×
×

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

Sign in or purchase a subscription to access this content. ×

You must be signed into an individual account to use this feature.

×