Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the ultra-structure of the photoreceptor layer of male rats under the effect of methanol intoxication and protective effect of silymarin against the methanol toxicity. Fifteen adult male rats were divided into three groups: Control group, Experimental group I (received 4g/kg methanol by intraperitoneal injection for five days), Experimental group II (received 4 g/kg methanol by intraperitoneal injection for five days and received 250 mg/kg silymarin orally for three months). At the end of the experiment, the eyes were removed; retina was separated near the optic disc and studied by transmission electron microscope. Results showed that the retina in the experimental group I exhibited loss of outer segments and disorganization in inner segment. Increased extra cellular space, disappearance of outer limiting membrane and pyknotic nuclei were seen in this group. But normal outer segment, organized inner segment and normal outer limiting membrane were obvious after treatment with silymarin in experimental group II. These findings show that methanol causes damage in the photoreceptor layer of the rat retina and silymarin can protect the damage to retina against the methanol intoxication. Key words: Ultra-structure, photoreceptor layer, methanol intoxication, silymarin, rat.
Highlights
Silymarin is an antioxidant flavonoid complex derived from milk thistle (Silybummarianum) (Mosallanejad et al, 2012).These flavonoids are potential antioxidants for different toxicities and induced oxidative stress
The animals were randomly divided into three groups of five rats each: Control group, Experimental group I, Experimental group II
The ultra-structure and morphometry of photoreceptor layer in the experimental groups were evaluated after methanol intoxication and with protection effect of silymarin
Summary
Silymarin is an antioxidant flavonoid complex derived from milk thistle (Silybummarianum) (Mosallanejad et al, 2012).These flavonoids are potential antioxidants for different toxicities and induced oxidative stress. Methanol intoxication produces toxic injury to the retina and optic nerve, resulting in blindness (Seme et al, 1999; Eells et al, 2003). Previous studies have documented formate induced retinal dysfunction in a rodent model of methanol intoxication (Seme et al, 1999). An ultra-structural examination showed swelling and disruption of the mitochondria in photoreceptor inner segments, optic nerve and the retinal pigment epithelium in methanolintoxicated rats (Murray et al, 1991). Some methanol intoxication findings support the hypothesis that formate inhibits retinal mitochondrial function and increases oxidative stress (Seme et al, 2001)
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