In order to elucidate in vivo neuronal cell death in the retina, and involvement of NF-kappa B in this process, we studied the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and the activation of NF-kappa B after transection of the optic nerve of adult rat at 5 mm from the eyeball. The morphology of dying ganglion cells in the retinal ganglion cell layer was observed by light and electron microscopy, the activation of NF-kappa B was investigated immunohistochemically. Seven and 14 days post-axotomy, dying cells contained pyknotic nuclei. The death of retinal ganglion cells involved apoptosis, activation of NF-kappa B (p50 and p65) was prominent in a time dependent manner. We observed axotomy-induced NF-kappa B activation, which may mediate apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells.
Animal ; Apoptosis/physiology ; Axotomy ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; NF-kappa B/biosynthesis* ; Optic Nerve/surgery ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Retinal Ganglion Cells/ultrastructure ; Retinal Ganglion Cells/pathology* ; Retinal Ganglion Cells/metabolism ; Substances: NF-kappa B

PURPOSE: To investigate the asymmetry of the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) with respect to the horizontal and vertical meridian and between the right and left eye in normal subjects. METHODS: The RNFLT was measured in 121 normal volunteers by optical coherence tomography (OCT). The RNFLT was analyzed by dividing the circle scanning area (diameter 3.4 mm) around the optic disc into 4 quadrants and 12 sectors. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the RNFLT of the nasal and temporal quadrant in individual eyes. There was a significant difference between the RNFLT of corresponding sectors with respect to the vertical or horizontal meridian in individual eyes. The nasal and temporal RNFLTs were asymmetrical between the right and left eye in the quadrant and sector analysis. The RNFLT of the nasal and temporal quadrant was thicker in the right eye. The nasal and inferior RNFLT measured by OCT had a significant correlation with degree of refractive error. CONCLUSIONS: In normal subjects without significant anisometropia, there was significant asymmetry of the RNFLT for each eye as well as between the right and left eye.
*Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Retinal Ganglion Cells/*ultrastructure ; Retina/*cytology ; Reference Values ; Optic Disk/cytology ; Nerve Fibers/*ultrastructure ; Male ; Humans ; Female ; Adult