EFFECTS OF ANTIOXIDANTS ON ISCHEMIC RETINAL DYSFUNCTION

Transient occlusion of both common carotid arteries in normotensive ra ts leads to a reduction in the amplitude of the b-wave of the electror etinogram (ERG). The present study investigated whether the antioxidan ts vitamin E and lipoate attenuate the depression and enhance the reco very of the b-wave of the ERG in response to retinal ischemia. The ERG was recorded from halothane-anesthetized rats before, during and afte r transient (24 min) occlusion of both common carotid arteries. The su bstances were administered 20 minutes before or at the onset of ischem ia. Both vitamin E (100 mg kg(-1)) and lipoate (100 mg kg(-1)) signifi cantly reduced the depression of the b-wave during occlusion and accel erated recovery during reperfusion at either time point of application . The present results suggest that antioxidants provide protection aga inst ischemic retinal dysfunction. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.