A Short Duration Transient Ischemia Induces Apoptosis in Retinal Layers: An Experimental Study in Rabbits

Abstract

Purpose To investigate retinal cell apoptosis in an experimental transient, short duration ocular ischemia model. Methods An experimental ischemia model, which simulates creating temporary high intraocular pressure to control intraocular bleeding during pars plana vitrectomy, was set up. Rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 was the control group. In Group 2, intraocular pressure was increased to 97 mmHg for 5 minutes. In Group 3, intraocular pressure was increased to 97 mmHg for 10 minutes. After 24 hours, terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick-end labeling assay was used to detect retinal apoptosis in rabbit eyes. Only nuclear staining in retinal cells was counted. Results Groups with 5 minutes and 10 minutes of ischemia showed significantly higher amount of ganglion cell layer apoptosis when compared with the control group (p<0.05). Light microscopy and standard hematoxylin-eosin did not show any significant damage in the retina cells. Conclusions Apoptotic cell death in the retinal cell layers occurs in temporary ischemia-reperfusion as early as 5 and 10 minutes duration.

Epigallocatechin 3-Gallate Has a Neuroprotective Effect in Retinas of Rabbits with Ischemia/Reperfusion through the Activation of Nrf2/HO-1

“…Elevated IOP in rabbits causes an exudative retinal detachment characterized by a significant loss of ganglion cells, loss of the inner and outer nuclear layers, and photoreceptors degeneration like happens in humans [16][17][18][19]. Furthermore, the rabbit is a model suitable for surgery and provides enough tissue to carry out studies related to early retinal damage and to design therapeutic strategies.…”

The Regulatory NOD-Like Receptor NLRC5 Promotes Ganglion Cell Death in Ischemic Retinopathy by Inducing Microglial Pyroptosis

“…Multiple processes, including neuroinflammation, oxygen free radical generation, intracellular calcium overload, and activation of apoptosis signaling pathways contribute to the development of RIR injury ( Takahashi et al, 1992 ; Kuriyama et al, 2001 ; Oz et al, 2005 ; Madeira et al, 2016 ). Our recent study also indicated a key role for pyroptosis in elevated IOP-induced retinal ischemic injury ( Chen et al, 2020 ).…”

Retinal artery occlusion - Experimental and epidemiological studies

“…This figure is reused from Study I by Vestergaard et al 44 The included studies used 6 different animal species and 8 different methods for occluding the artery including laser or another light source 36,38,39,[57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73][74][75] , vasoconstriction 63,[76][77][78][79][80] , raised intraocular pressure (IOP) [81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91] , clamp 25,66,[92][93][94][95][96][97][98] , ligation 80,99-121 , pressing with an occluder or probe …”