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.