| Neuroprotective Effect of Citicoline on Retinal Cell Damage Induced by Kainic Acid in Rats. |
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Yong Seop Han, In Young Chung, Jong Moon Park, Ji Myeong Yu |
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Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea. jmpark@gshp.gsnu.ac.kr |
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| Abstract |
PURPOSE
To examine whether citicoline has a neuroprotective effect on kainic acid (KA) -induced retinal damage. METHODS: KA (6 nmol) was injected into the vitreous of rat eyes. Citicoline (500mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to the rats once before and twice a day after KA-injection for 3- and 7-day intervals. The neuroprotective effects of citicoline were estimated by measuring the thickness of the various retinal layers using hematoxylin-eosin (H and E) staining. In addition, immunohistochemistry was conducted to elucidate the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). RESULTS: Morphometric analysis of retinal damage in KA-injected eyes showed significant cell loss in the inner nuclear layer (INL) and inner plexiform layer (IPL) of the retinas at 3 and 7 days after KA injection, but not in the outer nuclear layer (ONL). At 3 days after citicoline treatment, no significant changes were detected in the retinal thickness and immunoreactivities of eNOS and nNOS. The immunoreactivities of eNOS and nNOS increased in the retina at 7 days after the KA injection. However, prolonged treatment for 7 days significantly attenuated the immunoreactivities and the reduction of thickness. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that citicoline has a neuroprotective effect on KA-induced neurotoxicity in the retina. |
| Key Words:
Citicoline;Kainic acid;Neuroprotective effect;NOS |
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