Method for producing anterior ischemic optic neuropathy in animals

摘要

Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy is an ischemic disease affecting the optic nerve. A blockage of vessels supplying the intra-retinal portion of the optic nerve causes loss of axon transport stasis, retinal ganglion cell, specific dysfunction, and RGC death. Research has been limited by the lack of low-cost models for this disease. Using a custom contact lens, an intravenous injection of photosensitizing agent anesthetizes male Sprague-Dawley rats. A laser activate dye within the small vessels perfusing the optic nerve. This treatment spared the larger vessels perfusing the inner retina. Electropliysiologically, a decrease in amplitude of the visual evoked potential is noted. Histologically, alterations in axonal transport are seen. Reverse-transcriptase based Polymerase chain later retinal gene expression changes in treated animals. This method replicates many cellular and molecular level changes in a low-cost animal model.