Effects of Vitamin E, Pentoxifylline and Aprotinin on Light-Induced Retinal Injury

Abstract

Purpose: A considerable amount of clinical and experimental evidence exists suggesting the involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the etiology of light-induced retinal injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective role of vitamin E, pentoxifylline (PTX) and aprotinin against light-induced retinal injury in guinea pigs. Methods: Thirty adult male guinea pigs were divided into 5 groups of 6 animals each. The first group was used as control. The guinea pigs were kept in cyclic light for 2 weeks before the experiments. The animals were maintained in 12-hour light-dark cycles, before and after exposure to intense white fluorescent light, for as long as 12 h and then returned to cyclic light. Groups 3–5 received intraperitoneal injections of vitamin E, PTX and aprotinin, respectively. One eye of each animal was selected for histopathological evaluation and the other for biochemical assay. Retinal malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the thickness of the outer nuclear layers were measured. Results: The compounds had the following relationships: vitamin E more than PTX more than aprotinin in preventing light-induced retinal damage. All 3 gave significant protection against the formation of MDA. Retinas of all 3 treatment groups had been protected from light-induced injury. Conclusion: The intraperitoneal vitamin E, PTX and aprotinin supplementations may strengthen the antioxidant defense system because of decreased ROS, and these agents may play a role in treating light-induced retinal injury.

Innovative Development of Contact Lenses

“…Through its powerful antioxidant property, vitamin E protects the cornea from ultraviolet radiation and also prevents oxidation of many susceptible drugs. 66 Although vitamin E was identified as a promising biocompatible diffusion barrier that can retard the release of many hydrophilic drugs, researchers should consider its limitations, including reductions in ion permeability and oxygen permeability, increase in storage modules, that is, changes in mechanical properties, and protein adsorption due to its hydrophobic nature, 63 which may limit the use of vitamin E for the development of therapeutic contact lenses.…”

Retinal light toxicity

“…Further, studies have elucidated the potential benefit of vitamin and antioxidant supplementation to reduce light-induced damage. 77,131,[135][136][137][138][139] Zeaxanthin, meso-zeaxanthin, and lutein are dietary carotenoids, which together form macular pigment and are thought to provide protection against oxidative damage. Owing to their molecular nature, the macular pigments are able to use their high number of double bonds to neutralize singlet oxygen, free radicals, and triple state photosensitizers, and thereby limit lipid membrane peroxidation.…”

Soft Contact Lenses as Drug Delivery Systems: A Review

“…In addition, Vitamin E, as a powerful antioxidant, protects the cornea from UV radiation and prevents the oxidation of many sensitive drugs [ 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 ]. However, the use of Vitamin E has certain limitations, including a reduction in ion and oxygen permeability, a change in mechanical CL properties and protein adsorption on the CL surface due to the hydrophobic nature of Vitamin E [ 15 ].…”