Abstract
AbstractPurpose The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effects of eye drops the angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor ramipril on retinal ganglion cells (RGC) in a model of ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury in pigmented rat retina.Methods Retinal I/R injury was induced in adult Long Evans rats by vascular ligation of the optic nerve for 45 minutes, after which reperfusion was immediately established. Rats were treated topically with Ramipril 2% or vehicle eyedrops three times before and after ischemia. Intraperitoneal injection of brimonidine (2 mg/kg) was used as reference. Post‐ischemic retinal function was assessed by scotopic electroretinography (ERG) and RGC density by immunofluorescence on retinal flatmounts 8 days after ischemia.Results In ischemic eyes, no ERG responses could be recorded immediately after reperfusion. They gradually recovered to approximately 75% of baseline 8 days after injury. Recoveries of the b‐wave in the Ramipril‐ and brimonidine groups were better than those in the vehicle group. Severe RGC loss was also observed after I/R injury. However, Ramipril and brimonidine treatments significantly enhanced RGC survival (270.43 ± 87.57 cells/mm2 and 300.65 ± 92.48 cells/mm2), in comparison with the vehicle group (178.42 ± 107.81 cells/mm2).Conclusion Multiple instillations of ramipril 2% enhanced rat RGC survival and retinal function in the ischemia‐reperfusion injury model. This warrants further evaluation of the neuroprotective properties of ramipril in eye diseases. Commercial interest
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