Premium
Functional efficacy of glatiramer acetate treatment for laser‐induced retinal damage in rats
Author(s) -
Belokopytov Mark,
BenShlomo Gil,
Rosner Mordechai,
Belkin Michael,
Dubinski Galina,
Epstein Yoram,
Ofri Ron
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
lasers in surgery and medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.888
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1096-9101
pISSN - 0196-8092
DOI - 10.1002/lsm.20610
Subject(s) - neuroprotection , glatiramer acetate , retina , medicine , retinal , ophthalmology , laser , anesthesia , pharmacology , neuroscience , biology , optics , physics , disease
Abstract Background and Objectives To functionally evaluate the efficacy of glatiramer acetate (Cop‐1) as a neuroprotective treatment for laser‐induced retinal injuries in rats. Study Design/Materials and Methods Using standard lasering and flash ERG techniques, we evaluated the effect of photocoagulation and of Cop‐1 treatment on retinal function 3, 20, and 60 days after covering one‐half of the retina with of 23 rats with argon laser lesions. Results Significant neuroprotective effects of Cop‐1 treatment on functional recovery were observed 20 and 60 days after retinal photocoagulation. Two months post‐lasering, the amplitude of electroretinographic signals in lasered eyes (mean±SEM) was 99.5±10.2% of that of intact eyes in the Cop‐1‐treated group and 85.8±5.5% in the untreated lasered control group ( P <0.05). Conclusions Cop‐1 immunization in rats is neuroprotective against laser‐induced injuries to the outer retina and improves functional recovery of the injured retina. Studies have documented effective neuroprotective treatment after laser damage to myelinated neurons, but this is the first report of neuroprotection of nonmyelinated neurons. Laser Surg. Med. 40:196–201, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.