Large retinal folds mimicking tractional retinal detachment with extensive leakage of fluorescein around the optic disk was the most prominent finding of DR in SDT rats.
Background: Retinal leukostasis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. Objectives: We studied the effects of nipradilol, a topical antiglaucoma αβ-blocker and nitric oxide donor, on the retinal vascular leukocyte adhesion of rats with diabetes. Methods: Diabetes was induced in seven Brown-Norway rats by one intravenous injection (65 mg/kg) of streptozotocin and confirmed by blood glucose levels >350 mg/dl 48 h after the injection. Nipradilol solution was instilled in the right eye and nipradilol-free base solution in the left eye for 3 weeks, after which the retinal microcirculation was evaluated by acridine orange leukocyte digital fluorography using laser scanning ophthalmoscopy. Leukocytes trapped in the retina were counted around the optic disc in a 5-disc-diameter area and compared between the right and the left eye. Results: The mean retinal leukostasis count in the nipradilol-treated eyes (19 ± 15 cells) was significantly lower than in the untreated eyes (49 ± 19 cells; p < 0.0008). The diameter of the retinal artery in the eyes treated with nipradilol significantly increased (111 ± 13.5%) compared with untreated eyes (p < 0.03). Conclusions: Topical nipradilol significantly reduced retinal leukostasis in the retinal microcirculation in diabetic rats and may be a prophylactic agent for early diabetic retinopathy through its nitric oxide donor effects on the microcirculation.
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