Retinal oxidative stress induced by intraocular hypertension in rats may be ameliorated by brimonidine treatment and N-acetyl cysteine supplementation.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of brimonidine and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on retinal oxidative status under ocular hypertension.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Ocular hypertension is produced in right eyes of 60 rats through intraocular injection of sodium hyaluronate. The left eyes received intracameral saline as sham. Twenty right eyes (brimonidine group) received topical brimonidine twice a day for a week. Other 20 eyes received intraperitoneal NAC (NAC group) once a day. Another group of 20 eyes were followed without any drugs but only intracameral sodium hyaluronate (sodium hyaluronate group) into right eyes.

RESULTS

Intraocular injection of sodium hyaluronate increased intraocular pressure for a week and caused retinal peroxidation and decreased glutathione peroxidase and catalase levels. Brimonidine and NAC treatment reversed the retinal oxidative stress created by high intraocular pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

Brimonidine and NAC supplementation provide antioxidative properties to retina and decrease retinal damage induced by ocular hypertension.