Abstract
Purpose :
To elucidate the neuroprotective effect of activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the light exposed retina, focusing on the light-induced photoreceptor degeneration.
Methods :
Seven- to 8-week-old BALB/c mice were divided into 4 groups and treated either with control vehicle or an AMPK activator, 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (AICAR) at 125 or 250 or 500 mg/kg body weight, twice, before and after 12 hours of dark adaptation. The mice were then, exposed to a white fluorescent lamp for 1 hour at 3000 lux. Two days after light exposure, full-field scotopic electroretinogram was recorded in response to the flash light stimuli at intensities ranging from −2.12 to 2.89 log cd s/m2, and rhodopsin protein was measured in the retinal sample by immunoblot analysis.
Results :
The amplitudes of a-waves were larger in the AICAR treated group in a dose dependent manner; the mice treated with either 250 or 500 mg/kg BW of AICAR showed significantly larger a-wave amplitudes. Along with this, b-wave amplitudes were also larger in these group under some of the stimulus condition. There were no changes in the implicit times of a-wave and b-wave. Significantly larger amount of rhodopsin protein was observed after light exposure when treated with 500 mg/kg BW of AICAR.
Conclusions :
Although further studies are required, AMPK activation may have a neuroprotective effect against light-induced photoreceptor degeneration.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2016 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, Wash., May 1-5, 2016.