FLUPIRTINE PROTECTS AGAINST ISCHEMIC RETINAL DYSFUNCTION IN RATS

THE present study investigated whether flupirtine attenuates the depre ssion and enhances the recovery of the b-wave of the electroretinogram (ERG) in response to retinal ischaemia. The ERG was recorded from pen tobarbital-anaesthetized rats before, during and after transient (24 m in) occlusion of both common carotid arteries. Flupirtine administered 20 min before ischaemia reduced the depression of the b-wave during o cclusion and accelerated recovery during reperfusion. When given at th e onset of ischaemia flupirtine led to attenuation of the reduction of the b-wave during occlusion and to enhancement of the recovery during reperfusion. The present results suggest that flupirtine provides pro tection against ischaemic retinal dysfunction.