Abstract
Purpose :
We recently reported that the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss associated with the thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer without elevated intraocular pressure that occurs after the systemic administration of aldosterone. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma aldosterone concentration and the number of RGCs after systemic administration of aldosterone.
Methods :
40, 80 or 160 µg/kg/day aldosterone or vehicle was administered via osmotic minipump which was implanted subcutaneously into the mid-scapular region. The plasma aldosterone concentration was measured using enzyme immunoassay kits at 2 weeks after systemic administration of aldosterone or vehicle. At 5 weeks after systemic administration of aldosterone or vehicle, Fast Blue was injected bilaterally into the superior colliculi of rats. The number of RGCs was measured at 6 weeks after systemic administration of aldosterone or vehicle. Data was analyzed using Dunnett’s multiple comparison test.
Results :
Plasma aldosterone concentration was 212 ± 18 pg/ml, 366 ± 94 pg/ml, 478 ± 75 pg/ml and 1790 ± 473 pg/ml in the vehicle or 40, 80, or 160 μg/kg/day aldosterone-treated rats, respectively. Plasma aldosterone concentration was significantly increased in the 160 μg/kg/day aldosterone-treated rats (P < 0.001). The number of RGCs was 2688 ± 407 cells/mm2, 2240 ± 357 cells/mm2, 2086 ± 338 cells/mm2, 137 ± 110 cells/mm2 in the vehicle or 40, 80, or 160 μg/kg/day aldosterone-treated rats, respectively. RGCs were significantly decreased in the 80, 160 µg/kg/day aldosterone-treated rats (P < 0.001). The number of RGCs was significantly correlated with plasma aldosterone concentration, with correlation coefficient of -0.911.
Conclusions :
There was a negatively correlated between plasma aldosterone concentration and the number of RGCs.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2018 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, April 29 - May 3, 2018.