Author/Authors :
Sedighi, Nadia Orthoptist, Eye Research Center - Rassoul Akram Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Modarres, Mehdi Professor of Ophthalmology - Eye Research Center - Rassoul Akram Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Nikeghbali, Aminollah Professor of Ophthalmology - Eye Research Center - Rassoul Akram Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Nazari, Hossein Fellowship in Uveitis - Doheny Eye Institute - University of Southern California (USC) - Los Angeles, USA , Rezaei-Kanavi, Mozhgan Associate Professor of Ophthalmology - Ophthalmic Research Center - Labbafinejad Hospital - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Ghasemi Falavarjani, Khalil Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology - Eye Research Center - Rassoul Akram Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Abri Aghdam, Kaveh Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology - Eye Research Center - Rassoul Akram Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Sanjari, Mostafa Soltan Associate Professor of Ophthalmology - Eye Research Center - Rassoul Akram Hospital - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
Abstract :
Purpose: To determine the maximum non-toxic dose of recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) in
rabbit eyes
Methods: Eight rabbits (sixteen eyes) were scheduled for evaluating side effects of four intravitreal
doses of 1000, 2000, 4000 and 5000 IU of EPO, two rabbits for each dose. For each dose (two
rabbits), the drug was injected for the right eyes. Balanced salt solution (BSS) was injected into the
left eye of one rabbit (placebo eye) and the other left eye remained uninjected (control eye). All
eyes were examined in 1, 2, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after intravitreal injections. Electroretinogarphy
(ERG) was performed before and 14 days after intravitreal injection. After four weeks, animals
were euthanized and eyes were enucleated and submitted for Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) and
immunohistochemistry evaluations.
Results: Traumatic cataract developed in one of placebo group eyes. Neither anterior nor posterior
segment inflammatory reactions were observed after injections. H&E staining and
immunohistochemistry examinations did not revealed any sign of retinal and retinal pigment
epithelium toxicity with injected doses. ERG changes were within normal limits in all eyes.
Conclusion: Intravitreal injection of recombinant human EPO in rabbit eyes was not associated with
adverse toxic effects up to 5000 IU doses.
Keywords :
Toxicity , Rabbit , Intravitreal injection , Erythropoietin
