Purpose: To investigate the protective effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) on retinal ischemic injury induced by raising intraocular pressure.
Methods: Twelve New Zealand rabbits were divided into the model group (n=6) and the EPO group (n=6). Either of bilateral eyes was randomly made into the acutely high intraocular pressure model using the method of saline perfusion into anterior chamber. After the model was made, rhEPO 100 IU x kg(-1) was injected into the hypodermic tissue of EPO group rabbits twice a week for one week. Flash electroretinogram (ERG) was detected 30 min before and at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days after perfusion, respectively.
Results: The amplitude of ERG-b wave had no significant difference in the EPO group compared with that in the model group before anterior chamber perfusion (P > 0.05). The amplitude of ERG-b wave dropped down to the lowest at 1 day after perfusion and could not come back to the baseline in the model group (P < 0.05). The resemble situation was in the EPO group except that the amplitude of ERG-b wave came back to the baseline at 14 days (P > 0.05).
Conclusion: EPO can improve the amplitude of ERG-b wave following retinal ischemia. This indicates that EPO has the potential to be an optimal neuroprotective agent.