Abstract
Purpose: :
To evaluate the neuroprotective effects of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE), Memantine and Lamotrigine on retina ganglion cells in optic nerve crush model in rats.
Methods: :
Ninety rats were randomly divided into five groups: (1), control (sham)group; (2), CAPE group; (3), Memantine group; (4), Lamotrigine group, (5), Saline (vehicle) group. Optic nerves of the right eyes of the rats (except sham group) were subjected to a partial crush injury by clipping the optic nerve 2 mm behind the globe for 60 seconds. The groups were treated by daily intraperitoneal injections for 7 days. At day 7, samples were aspired and saved for NO, TNF-α, Glutamate, thiobarbituric acid (TBars) levels and protein oxidation status (Pcs) measurements. Six eyes from each group were enucleated and examined histopathologically. The apopotic cells in ganglion and internal nuclear level were counted and the apoptotic index of cells was calculated by TUNEL labeling. The results were statistically analysed with ANOVA test and p<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: :
CAPE, Memantine and Lamotrigine significantly reduced the NO, glutamate, TBars and Pcs levels when compared to saline group. Only CAPE reduced the TNF-α levels (p=0.000). The levels of Glutamate, TBars and Pcs after CAPE, Memantine and Lamotrigine usage and the levels of NO after CAPE and Lamotrigine usage were similar to the control group. In histopathologic analysis, CAPE, Memantine and Lamotrigine significantly reduced the apoptotic cell number compared to saline group. Only CAPE reduced the ganglion cell apoptosis similar to the level of the control group.
Conclusions: :
Systemic treatment with CAPE, Memantine and Lamotrigine have been shown to be neuroprotective in optic nerve crush model in rat. Their mechanisms of action in glaucoma models may warrant further investigations.
Keywords: neuroprotection • optic nerve • apoptosis/cell death