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Amygdalin protects apoptosis of retinal ganglionic cells in glaucoma rats by regulating the expressions of anti- and pro-apoptotic proteins


Xiaoli Zeng
Lv Hongbin
Xuewen Huang

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the protective effect of amygdalin against glaucoma.
Methods: Glaucoma was induced in rats via ischemia/reperfusion. The rats were treated with amygdalin (1 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (ip) for 5 weeks. Intra-ocular pressure (IOP), viability of retinal ganglion cell (RGCs) and histopathological changes in the retinal tissue of the glaucoma rats were determined. The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and expressions of apoptotic factors were assessed in retinal tissues of all groups.
Results: Intra-ocular pressure was reduced in amygdalin-treated group, when compared with the glaucoma group (p < 0.05). Moreover, the viability and thickness of RGCs in the amygdalin-treated group were enhanced, relative to untreated glaucoma rats. There was decrease in retinal cytokine
levels in amygdalin-treated group, when compared with untreated glaucoma rats. Amygdalin treatment ameliorated altered expressions of apoptosis proteins in the retinal tissue of ischemia/reperfusioninduced glaucoma rats.
Conclusion: Amygdalin has a protective effect against ischemia/reperfusion-induced glaucoma in rats. Thus, it has a potential for use in the clinical management of glaucoma.


Keywords: Glaucoma, Amygdalin, Cytokines, Ischemia/reperfusion, Apoptosis


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1596-9827
print ISSN: 1596-5996