Abstract:

Objective To observe the neuroprotective effect of Copolymer 1(Cop 1) in rats with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), and explore the clinical application of Cop 1 in the prevention of optic nerve atrophy induced by glaucoma. Methods Thirty adult Wistar rats were rendered for elevation of IOP in both eyes by Shareef-Sharma method. At the third week of IOP elevation, a mixture (1∶1) of Cop 1 (100 μg) emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) was injected intracutaneously at two hind footpads in 15 rats (Cop 1 model group), and the other 15 rats were given the same dose of PBS emulsified in CFA (model control group). Retinal ganglial cell (RGC) retrograde labeling was performed with Fluorogold 6 d later, and retina was taken after 24 h to compared the density of RGC between two groups. Another normal rats were served as blank controls. Results It was found that lymphocytes were accumulated on the histological slices of retina and optic nerve in Cop 1 model group. The rates of RGC loss of Cop 1 model group and model control group were 10.24%±3.75% and 29.00%±6.92%, respectively. The RGC density in Cop 1 model group was significantly lower than that in model control group (P＜0.05), while there was no significant difference in that between Cop 1 model group and blank control group (P>0.05). Conclusion Intracutaneous injection of Cop 1 can reduce the damage of RGC induced by elevated IOP.

Key words: Copolymer 1, elevated intraocular pressure, retinal ganglion cell, neuroprotection