Persistent Ocular Hypertension Rat Model Of Retinal Ganglion Cell Damage. The Dsx Intervention And Mechanism,

Objective: To observe the effect of DSX drawed from Dengzhanhua on the rat model of chronic, moderately elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), and study the mechanism of it initially. Method: By unilaterally cauterizing three episcleral vessels, the rat model of chronic, moderately elevated intraocular pressure was gotten. We monitored the intraocular pressure continuously for 3 months and observed the multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) and pathomorphoiogy. DSX, an extract from Dengzhanhua, was used to treat the rats with elevated intraocular pressure to observe the effection on mfERG, content of nitric oxide (NO) in retina and the apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Results: Elevated intraocular pressure was gotten and there was an approximately 1.69-fold increase in IOP for 3 months without re-treatment. With time lasting, the RGCs and retinal fibrous layer were thinning, and the ultrastructure of RGCs was destructing , and the apoptosis was increasing, and different degree changes were gotten in mfERG. DSX can stable the IOP , and improve mfERG, and control the content of NO in retina, and reduce the apoptosis rate of RGCs. Conclusion: This model is reproducible and moderately elevated IOP can last at least 3 months. The first order kernel(FOK) of mfERG was affected obviously in eye with elevated IOP, which inferred at least a part of FOK was contributed from RGCs; DSX can protect the optic nerve from elevated IOP, by improving the optic function, relieving the toxic effect of NO, preventing the apoptosis of RGCs.