The protective effect of erythropoietin on the experimental light-induced retinal degeneration of rat

Abstract

Objective To investigate the protective effect of erythropoietin(EPO) on the structure and function of light-induced damage in rat retina. Methods The animal model of light-induced retinal degeneration was made. Thirty-six SD rats were randomly divided into experimental group, peritoneal injection with EPO and control group, peritoneal injection with the same amount of normal saline. The EPO and EPOR expression were observed in two groups. The structure and thickness of the retina and ERG before and after light explosure were observed. Results The gray value of EPO and EPOR expression in any layer of the retina reached peak value at 24 hours after light explosure.EPO and EPOR expression at 6, 24 and 72 hours were higher than that of before light explosure. The difference were statistically significant(P=0.002, 0.000, 0.000; P=0.001, 0.000, 0.000). Seven days after light explosure, the outer retina thickness of two groups markedly reduced(P=0.000), but the reduction of outer retina thickness in experimental group was less than that in control group(P=0.000). The amplitude of a-wave and b-wave in two groups decreased remarkably at 1 day, 1 week and 2 weeks after light explosure, but the amplitude of a-wave and b-wave in experimental group was higher than those in control group(P=0.013-0.039). Conclusion Endogenous EPO and EPOR express increasingly after light damage. Systemic exogenous EPO plays a protective role in light-induced damage in retina. Key words: Erythropoietin; Animal model; Retina; Light-induced damage