TJ-CEO
2009 , Vol 4 , Num 3
Memantine in an Experimental Glaucoma Model: Immunohistochemical Analysis of Its Effect on Activity of Müller Cells
1İzmit Seka Devlet Hastanesi, Göz Hastalıkları Kliniği, Kocaeli, Uzm. Dr.2Kocaeli Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Göz Hastalıkları A.D., Kocaeli, Prof. Dr.
3İ. Üniversitesi İstanbul Tıp Fakültesi, Histoloji ve Emrbiyoloji A.D., İstanbul, Doç. Dr.
4Kocaeli Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Göz Hastalıkları A.D., Kocaeli, Doç. Dr. Purpose: To investigate the effect of systemic memantine administration on Müller cells in experimentally induced glaucoma.
Materials and Methods: Forty-five adult male Wistar rats were grouped as non-treated glaucomatose rats (G Group, n=15), memantine-treated glaucomatose rats (M Group, n=15), and control rats (C Group, n=15). Glaucoma was induced in the G and M groups by injecting sodium hyaluronate through the anterior chamber. The M group received a single daily dose of 10 mg/kg memantine i.p. starting with the glaucoma induction. The changes in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression were studied by immunohistochemical staining in both groups.
Results: In the glaucoma induced and non-treated animals GFAP expression was increased in the first week following induction and remained increased until the sixth week of the study. Immunoreactivity of GFAP was abundant throughout the length of the Müller cells in this group. However, in memantine-treated glaucomatose rats GFAP expression was limited to the inner layers of the retina.
Conclusion: These results indicate that Müller cells react to elevated intraocular pressure by increased GFAP expression. Systemic memantine treatment in glaucoma seems to limit Müller cell reactivity and GFAP expression. Keywords : Glaucoma, glial fibrillary acidic protein, memantine, Müller cell