Abstract
Purpose: :
To investigate neuroprotective effects of agmatine on ischemia-reperfusion-induced damage in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs).
Methods: :
A total of 32 adult male ddY mice were used for this study. The ocular ischemia was induced by intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), which causes an occlusion of the ophthalmic artery as well as the middle cerebral artery. Mice in the agmatine group were treated once with an intraperitoneal injection of agmatine (100 mg/kg) 30 minutes before MCAO.
Results: :
After two hours MCAO and 22 hours of reperfusion, the proportion of pyknotic cells within the RGC layer increased from 0 % to 38.67 ± 0.80 %. When 100 mg/kg agmatine was injected intraperitonally 30 minutes before MCAO, the proportion of pyknotic RGCs was significantly reduced to 14.11 ± 0.47 % (p<0.001).
Conclusions: :
Agmatine reduces ischemia-reperfusion-induced RGC damage caused by transient MCAO. It has the potential to become a new therapeutic option for treating ocular diseases associated with ischemic injury.
Keywords: ganglion cells • ischemia • neuroprotection