Neuroprotective Effects Of LBA On The Retina Of Monocular Visual Deprived Amblyopia In Rats

Objective:To construct the rat model of monocular visual deprived amblyopia,to observe the retinal changes of monocular visual deprived amblyopia in rat,and to investigate of the neuroprotective effect of the aqueous extract of dried fruits of Lycium barbarum(LBA) on the rat,and to approach the mechanism of that,in order to provide according to clinical medication.Methods:A total of 21 postnatal Wistar rats were randomly divided into there groups,5 rats were in the control group(CG),8 rats were in the experimental group(EG) and another in the treatment group(TG).After postnatal 1 week,the monocular palpebra was sewed in EG and TG by mattress suture in order to construct the rat model.After postnatal 4 weeks,the suture was dismantled in EG and TG,and TG started to be fed lmg/kg LBA daily,and both CG and EG were fed normally.All of the rats lived in the natural light environment.After postnatal 6 weeks,all of the rats were executed,and were to selected eyeballs.Then retinal cells necrosis and apoptosis was assessed by the method of eosin- hematoxylin(HE) staining,TUNEL detection,and the expression of bcl-2,BAX and Caspase-3 as well was detected in retina by immunohistochemistry.Results:①HE staining:The retina was normal in CG.Compared with CG and TG,the outer nucleus layer(ONL) and inner nucleus layer(INL) were thinner,and the number of cells was less in EG(P＜0.05).②Comparing with CG,the positive expression of TUNEL in EG obviously increased(P＜0.05).The positive expression of TUNEL in TG obviously reduced than EG(P＜0.05).③The positive expression of BAX and Caspase-3 in EG was significantly higher than that in CG and TG(P＜0.05),and bcl-2 in EG was significantly lower(P＜0.05).Compared with CG,the positive expression of BAX and Caspase-3 were significantly higher in TG(P＜0.05),and the positive expression of bcl-2 was significantly lower in TG(P＜0.05).Conclusion:①The cells in ONL,INL and ganglion cell layer(GCL) have injury in the retina of monocular visual deprived amblyopia in rat,and the mechanism may be related with apoptosis.②LBA might have neuroprotective effect on the retina of monocular visual deprived amblyopia in rat in the critical period of visual plasticity during development.③The mechanism of neuroprotective effect of LBA might be related with up-regulating the expression of bcl-2,negative regulating the expression of BAX, inhibiting the expression of Caspase-3 and reducing apoptosis.