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The aim of this study was to clarify the possible therapeutic benefit of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition and catalytic antioxidant Mn(III) meso-tetrakis(N-hexylpyridinium-2-yl) porphyrin (MnTnHex-2-PyP) treatment in glaucoma using a rat model of elevated intraocular pressure (EIOP). Rats were randomly divided into different experimental groups which received either intraperitoneal MnTnHex-2-PyP (0.6 mg/kg/week), intragastric NOS inhibitor (S-methylthiourea: SMT; 5 mg/kg/day) or both agents for a period of 6 weeks. Ocular hypertension was induced by unilaterally cauterizing three episcleral vessels and the unoperated eye served as control. Neuroprotective effects of given treatments were determined via electrophysiological measurements of visual evoked potentials (VEP). Rats were sacrificed at the end of the experimental period to obtain enucleated globes which were divided into 4 groups including control, SMT treated, MnTnHex-2-PyP treated and MnTnHex-2-PyP + SMT treated. Retina and vitreous levels of MnTnHex-2-PyP were measured via LC-MS/MS while retinoprotective properties of the given regimens were determined by evaluating retinal apoptosis, protein nitrotyrosine levels and NOS-2 expression. Latencies of all VEP components were significantly prolonged in EIOP and returned to control levels following all three treatment protocols. Ocular hypertension significantly increased retinal protein nitration which returned to baseline levels in all treated groups. NOS-2 expression determined by western blot analysis and nitrate/nitrate levels was significantly greater in non-treated rats with EIOP. Retinal TUNEL staining showed apoptosis in all ocular hypertensive rats. The presented data confirm the role of oxidative injury in EIOP and highlight the protective effect of MnTnHex-2-PyP treatment and NOS inhibition in ocular hypertension.
S. Dogan. Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.
11.14 Investigational drugs; pharmacological experiments (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)
11.8 Neuroprotection (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)