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Updated: Aug 25, 2026
Retinal Pathophysiological Evaluation in a Rat Model
Published on: May 6, 2022
Evaluation of toxicity due to vital stains in isolated rat retinas
Kazuhiro Tokuda1, Teruhisa Tsukamoto, Shigeki Fujisawa
1Department of Ophthalmology, Daini Hospital, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Arakawa, Tokyo, Japan. kaz-top@dnh.twmu.ac.jp
Purpose:
We investigated whether artificial aqueous humours are adequate incubation media compared with artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF), and evaluated the retinal toxicity of two vital stains--trypan blue (TB) and indocyanine green (ICG)--and triamcinolone acetonide (TA) using isolated rat retinas incubated in artificial aqueous humours.
Methods:
In experiment 1, retinal segments were isolated and incubated in aCSF, BSS plus, Opeguard Neo Kit, or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). In experiment 2, retinal tissues were exposed to one of the agents and incubated in BSS plus. Retinal damage was assessed by morphological examination and biochemical assay, which measured lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the medium once every hour.
Results:
In experiment 1, BSS plus was confirmed as a suitable incubation medium. In experiment 2, there were no significant changes in the retinas exposed to TB or TA. Tissues exposed to ICG showed damage in every retinal layer and significantly higher release of LDH.
Conclusion:
Exposure to ICG caused retinal damage in isolated rat retina tissue in our experimental model (in vitro).
