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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Functional and Structural Evaluation of Sildenafil in a Rat Model of Acute Retinal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

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Author(s):
Ezra-Elia, Raaya ; da Silva, Germana Alegro ; Zanoni, Diogo Sousa ; Laufer-Amorim, Renee ; Couto do Amaral, Andreia Vitor ; Laus, Jose Luiz ; Ofri, Ron
Total Authors: 7
Document type: Journal article
Source: CURRENT EYE RESEARCH; v. 42, n. 3, p. 452-461, 2017.
Web of Science Citations: 1
Abstract

Purpose: Retinal ischemia is a common cause of visual impairment and blindness. Sildenafil, a PDE5 inhibitor which inhibits cGMP degradation and in turn prolongs the effect of nitric oxide, has been shown to be protective in a number of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injuries, as well as in neuronal damage. We hypothesized that treatment with sildenafil might be neuroprotective in a model of acute retinal I/R injury.Methods: Anterior chamber cannulation was performed to induce unilateral I/R injury in 38 Lewis rats. Animals received intraperitoneal injections of sildenafil (0.5 and 1 mg/kg once a day, for a period of 7 and 18 days, respectively), or saline. Electroretinography recordings, retinal ganglion cell (RGC) counts following retrograde labeling with fluorogold, histopathology, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) using antibodies against PDE5, NOS2, caspase-3, caspase-9, and Bcl-2 were conducted.Results: No significant differences in electroretinography, RGC counts, or retinal morphometry were observed between experimental eyes of sildenafil- and saline-treated animals. A tendency toward less necrosis in histopathology, and a slight trend toward lower PDE5, NOS2, and caspase-9 and higher Bcl-2 IHC scores were evident in experimental retinas of sildenafil-treated animals.Conclusions: Electroretinography, RGC counts, and retinal morphometry failed to show any neuroprotective effect of sildenafil in acute retinal I/R injury in rats. A slight positive effect of sildenafil was qualitatively indicated by histopathology and IHC. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 11/51269-4 - Preserving vision in glaucoma: preventing optic neuropathy through neuroprotective, vasodilative treatment
Grantee:José Luiz Laus
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants