Reduced Retinal Degeneration in an Oxidative Stress Organ Culture Model through an iNOS-Inhibitor

In retinal organ cultures, H2O2 can be used to simulate oxidative stress, which plays a role in the development of several diseases including glaucoma. We investigated whether processes underlying stress prevented cultures by an inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-inhibitor. To this end, porcine explants were cultivated for four and eight days. Oxidative was induced via 300 µM on day one three hours. Treatment with iNOS-inhibitor 1400 W applied simultaneously, remaining 72 h. Retinal ganglion cells (RGC), bipolar amacrine cells, apoptosis, autophagy, hypoxia evaluated immunohistologically RT-qPCR. Additionally, RGC morphology analyzed transmission electron microscopy. H2O2-induced RGCs loss after days iNOS-inhibitor. microscopy revealed preservation from treated retinas at A late rescue seen Hypoxic apoptosis almost reached control situation treatment, especially sum, able prevent strong H2O-induced degeneration retinas. Hence, inhibitor seems promising treatment option diseases.