Inhibition of Apoptosis and Reduction of Intracellular pH Decrease in Retinal Neural Cell Cultures by a Blocker of Carbonic Anhydrase

Abstract

Dorzolamide reduced the damage inflicted on retinal neural cells by agents that induced apoptosis and, therefore, can be considered a neuroprotectant.

Bicarbonate homeostasis in excitable tissues: role of AE3 Cl−/HCO3− exchanger and carbonic anhydrase XIV interaction

“…CAXIV distribution pattern is consistent with involvement in extracellular pH regulation and trans-retinal transport functions. An extracellular CA activity, most likely CAXIV, buffers the excess acidification in retina under certain metabolic conditions by preventing increase in H ϩ concentration (13). A mouse deficient for caXIV (caXIV Ϫ/Ϫ ) has been recently described, with intriguing similarities to the phenotype of ae3 Ϫ/Ϫ mice (39).…”

Blindness Caused by Deficiency in AE3 Chloride/Bicarbonate Exchanger

“…CAXIV distribution pattern is consistent with involvement in pH regulation and trans-retinal transport functions. Studies using CA inhibitors suggest that CAs, most likely CAII, CAIV and CAXIV, buffer the excess acidification in retina under certain metabolic conditions by preventing increase in H + concentration [35]–[37]. Therefore, a role for CAXIV in buffering the subretinal space volume could be predicted.…”

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and activators and their use in therapy

“…However, there are many recent reports in which the utility of such drugs is highlightened for the treatment of cystoid macular oedema [97], as inhibitors of apoptosis in retinal neural cells [98] or for increasing retinal oxygen tension and dilating retinal vessels [99]. All these effects are highly desirable in an antiglaucoma drug, as they lead to increased neuroprotection, in addition to the IOP lowering typical for this class of drugs [96].…”