Evaluation On The Effect Of Chinese Herbs In Treatment Of Retinal Injury Induced By Argon Laser Photocoagulation

Objective: To investigate the effect of Chinese herbs with the function of nourishing yin to clearing pathogenic fire on the morphology and its function of coagulated retina in order to explore a effective method in treatment of retinal injury induced by laser photocoagulation. The experiment aimed at the character of injury induced by laser photocoagulation based on FFA, pathology and immunohistochem- istry. Method: 12 pigmented mice divided into two groups underwent retinal photocoagulation. The experimental group was treated with zhibaidihuangtang, the other control group. The changes of FFA and pathology, the expression of VEGF and ICAM-1 in the retina in different days were detected. Result: CNV-related fluorescein leakage appeared in 50% laser spots. 1. Histopathologically, macrophage accumulation peaked at 5 days and CNV was firstly observed at 1 week post photocoagulation. 2. ICAM-1 and VEGF were maximally induced at 3-5 days post photocoagulation, and were localized in RPE, choroidal vascular endothelium, and inflammatory cells. VEGF was also detected in intravascular leucocytes at the sites of laser injury. 3. Chinese herbs could inhibit inflammatory cells accumulation and the expression of VEGF and ICAM-1,obtain the effect of prevention and treatment. 4. The results confirm that the method of nourishing yin to clearing fire is an effective remedy for retinal injury induced by argon laser photocoagulation. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that argon laser could be successfully used to produce model of retinal injury. The laser impacts retinal structure and disturbs its immunohistochem- istric characters, especially induces CNV and change morphology related factors abnormal expression. The Chinese herbs could inhibit inflammatory cells accumulation and the expression of VEGF and ICAM-1, consequently play effective remedy.