Inflammation induced by photocoagulation laser is minimized by copper chelators

The effect of trientine hydrochloride (TRIEN), a copper-selective chelating agent, on retinal inflammation induced by photocoagulation laser treatment was studied. Nine Long-Evans rats were treated with TRIEN (0.5 mmol/kg per day, intraperitoneal injection) for 9 days. On day 8, each animal underwent unilateral photocoagulation laser treatment with an argon dye laser. On day 9, animals were killed and the eyes processed for immunohistochemistry and light microscopy. In the TRIEN-treated group, retinal thickness and number of macrophages (ED-1) were both significantly lower than in the saline-treated, control group exposed to laser photocoagulation. The results support the hypothesis that selective copper chelation prior to laser treatment may inhibit ocular inflammation. The results suggest that pretreatment with a selective copper-chelating compound can minimize retinal inflammation secondary to laser photocoagulation treatment, which may improve overall outcome of photocoagulation treatment for diabetic retinopathy.