Abstract
Purpose :
Granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been reported to show a good neuroprotective effect in the rat model of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (rAION). The anti-inflammatory action of G-CSF plays an important role in optic nerve (ON) protection. Accordingly, enhancement of anti-inflammatory action is a potential strategy in treatment of ischemic ON injury. The purpose of this study is to combine a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (Meloxicam) and G-CSF to improve the anti-inflammatory action for getting better therapeutic effects in the rAION model.
Methods :
The rAION-inducted rats were treated with G-CSF only, Meloxicam only, or G-CSF plus Meloxicam. Four weeks after rAION induction, the visual protection and RGC protection were determined by measuring Flash-VEP and RGC density. The anti-apoptotic effect was measured by using TUNEL assay. The ON inflammation was evaluated by immunohistochemistry of ED1 staining.
Results :
The amplitude of P1-N2 in the G-CSF plus Meloxicam-treated group was higher than those of the Meloxicam-treated group (p<0.05) and the G-CSF-treated group. The RGC density in the G-CSF plus Meloxicam-treated group was 1.6- and 1.3-fold of higher than those of the Meloxicam-treated group (p<0.05) and the G-CSF-treated group (p<0.05).The combined treatment decreased 3.5- (p<0.05) and 1.8-fold of the number of apoptotic RGC compared to treatment with Meloxicam only or G-CSF only. The combined treatment reduced the level of extrinsic macrophage infiltration more than treatment with Meloxicam only (p<0.05) or G-CSF only (p<0.05).
Conclusions :
The combined treatment enhanced the anti-inflammatory action to preserve more RGCs and visual function in the rAION model. This combination approach provides crucial pre-clinical information for development of alternative therapy in non-arteritic aterior ischemic optic neuropathy.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2018 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, April 29 - May 3, 2018.