preventive effects of vitamin b12 and folic acid in methanol-induced retinopathy in an anim al model

in order to identify the effects of vitamin b 12 and folic acid in reducing methanolinduced retinopathy, erg waves were compared before and after methanol intoxication in rabbits. in this study 34 rabbits were divided into 4 groups. all groups received 4 g/kg of methanol intraperitoneally. in addition, the second, third and fourth groups received vitamin b 12 injection, oral folic acid and a mixture of vitamin b12 and folic acid, respectively. baseline ergs were recorded for all rabbits prior to intoxication and then second ergs were taken 48-72 hours following methanol toxicity. compared to baseline ergs a severe reduction in the b-wave amplitude as well as reduction in the oscillatory potential were noticed. among all groups, the first group had the most and the fourth group had the least decrease in b-wave amplitude as well as oscillatory potential. it is therefore believed that vitamin b12 has a synergistic effect with folic acid in attenuating ophthalmic toxicity of methanol in rabbits. further studies are needed to evaluate these effects in humans.