THE PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF TAURINE AGAINST GLUTAMATE-INDUCED EXCITOTOXICITY IN RAT RETINA
- VernacularTitle:牛磺酸对大鼠视网膜谷氨酸兴奋毒性的防护作用研究
- Author:
Hongxia XU
;
Mantian MI
;
Zhaoxia XU
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
taurine;
glutamate;
excitotoxicity;
retinal ganglion cells
- From:
Acta Nutrimenta Sinica
1956;0(02):-
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether taurine had retinal neuroprotective effects against glutamate-induced excitototxicity, especially in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) damage in adult rat. Methods: We used a rat model of retinal glutamate excitotoxicity induced by intravitreal injection of 40 nmol glutamate in one eye. The retinal damage was evaluated by counting the number of cells in the ganglion cell layer (GCL) in flat mount preparations of whole retinas, examining the a- and b-waves in the electroretinogram (ERG), hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and observing ultrastructure of retinas. Results: After intravitreal injection of glutamate, thinning of inner retinal layers, smaller a- and b-waves in the ERG were observed, and degenerative changes were observed in inner nuclear layer and RGCs by electron microscopy. These damages could be prevented by 25mg/kg bw taurine (intraperitoneal injection). 5mg/kg taurine had unremarkable effect. In animals that received intravitreal injection of glutamate, there was significant reduction (53%) in total cell numbers in GCL, with 75% reduction in RGCs. 25mg/kg bw taurine-treated animals showed a significant reduction in glutamate- induced RGCs loss. Conclusion:Repeated application of taurine can prevent glutamate-induced retinal neuronal cell damage, especially in RGCs and retinal functional damage in rats.
