Nimodipine rescues N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced retinal degeneration in rats

Dan Wang; Yan Li; Zhuo Wang; Gui-yuan Sun; Qiu-hua Zhang

Articles

Abstract

Pharmacognosy Magazine,2013,9,34,149-154.

DOI:10.4103/0973-1296.111276

Published:April 2013

Type:Original Article

Authors:

Author(s) affiliations:

Dan Wang¹, Yan Li², Zhuo Wang³, Gui-yuan Sun⁴, Qiu-hua Zhang⁵
¹Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Liaoning Shenyang; Department of Pharmacology, HE's University, Liaoning Shenyang, China
²Department of Physiology, Experimental Teaching Center of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Liaoning Shenyang, China
³Department of Pharmacology, HE's University, Liaoning Shenyang, China
⁴Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Liaoning Shenyang, China
⁵Department of Basic Pharmacology, Liaoning University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Liaoning Shenyang, China

Abstract:

Background: That nimodipine (NMD) is potentially useful for ophthalmic treatment. However, the effect of NMD is unknown on retinal degenerative diseases. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of NMD on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced retinal degeneration (RD) and elucidate its possible mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Morphological observation of NMD on MNU-induced RD was evaluated by light microscopy and electron microscopy. Nonenzymatic antioxidant glutathione (GSH) was measured by a colorimetric method. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Telomerase was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The significantly protective effect of NMD on MNU-induced RD was demonstrated morphologically. NMD increased the content of GSH and decreased the level of TGF-β in rat retina. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that NMD treatment significantly decreased mRNA level of telomerase. Conclusion: These data suggest that NMD inhibit MNU-induced RD in rats. The expressions of TGF-β, telomerase and GSH contents might partially contribute to its protective effects on MNU-induced RD.

Keywords:N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, Nimodipine, retinal degeneration