Inhibition of experimental proliferative vitreoretinopathy with protein kinase C inhibitor (chelerythrine chloride) and melatonin
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Published on: March 30, 2020
Hamdi Er1, Yusuf Turkoz, Bülent Mizrak
1Department of Ophthalmology, Turgut Ozal Medical Center, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey. hamdier@inonu.edu.tr
Purpose:
To investigate whether a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor and melatonin prevent proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).
Methods:
Twenty pigmented rabbits were used in this study. All rabbits except controls received an intravitreal injection of 0.15 ml (75,000 units) of platelet-rich plasma into their left eye. The animals were divided into four groups: group I was treated with intravitreal injection of 0.1 ml (100 micromol/ml) of PKC inhibitor (chelerythrine chloride), group II received 1 ml (4 mg/kg) of intraperitoneal melatonin for 3 days, group III received nothing (blank group), and group IV (control group) received only 0.5 ml of 1% ethanol intraperitoneally for 3 days. Proliferative changes were graded in a masked fashion by indirect ophthalmoscopy for a 15-day follow-up period. The malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and total nitrite levels were measured in the vitreous humor.
Results:
The grades of PVR were A and B in group I and II, treated with PKC inhibitor and melatonin, respectively. The PVR grade in the blank group was C-D. The mean MDA level in group I (4.2 +/- 0.9 micromol/l) was significantly lower than in the blank group (6.0 +/- 1.0 micromol/l; p < 0.05). The mean GSH level in group I (66.3 +/- 8.8 micromol/l) was not significantly different from that in the blank group (p > 0.05). The MDA and GSH levels in group II were 3.2 +/- 0.7 and 70.1 +/- 13.3 micromol/l, respectively. Both these levels were significantly different from those of the blank group (p < 0.05). The NO levels in both treatment groups were significantly lower than in the blank group (p < 0.001).
Conclusion:
These findings suggest an inhibitory effect of PKC inhibitor and melatonin on PVR. The inhibition of PVR development was associated with lower MDA and NO levels with higher GSH levels in the treatment groups.
Insights
A protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor and melatonin show promise in preventing proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). These treatments reduced PVR grades and altered biochemical markers in the vitreous humor.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is a severe complication following retinal detachment.
- Current treatments for PVR have limitations, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor and melatonin in preventing PVR.
- To evaluate the effects of these agents on biochemical markers associated with PVR development.
Main Methods:
- A rabbit model of PVR was induced using intravitreal injection of platelet-rich plasma.
- Animals were treated with either a PKC inhibitor (chelerythrine chloride) or melatonin.
- Proliferative changes were assessed, and vitreous humor levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and nitrite (NO) were measured.
Main Results:
- Both the PKC inhibitor and melatonin significantly reduced PVR grades compared to the untreated group.
- Treatment groups exhibited significantly lower levels of MDA and NO in the vitreous humor.
- While GSH levels were not significantly different in the PKC inhibitor group, they were significantly altered in the melatonin group compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- PKC inhibitor and melatonin demonstrate an inhibitory effect on PVR development.
- The observed PVR inhibition is associated with favorable changes in oxidative stress markers, including reduced MDA and NO levels and potentially increased GSH levels.
