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Updated: May 10, 2026
Methylnitrosourea (MNU)-induced Retinal Degeneration and Regeneration in the Zebrafish: Histological and Functional Characteristics
Published on: October 20, 2014
Nimodipine rescues N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced retinal degeneration in rats
1Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, P. R. China ; Department of Pharmacology, HE's University, P. R. China.
Background:
That nimodipine (NMD) is potentially useful for ophthalmic treatment. However, the effect of NMD is unknown on retinal degenerative diseases.
Objective:
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of NMD on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced retinal degeneration (RD) and elucidate its possible mechanisms.
Materials And Methods:
Morphological observation of NMD on MNU-induced RD was evaluated by light microscopy and electron microscopy. Nonenzymatic antioxidant glutathione (GSH) was measured by a colorimetric method. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Telomerase was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Results:
The significantly protective effect of NMD on MNU-induced RD was demonstrated morphologically. NMD increased the content of GSH and decreased the level of TGF-β in rat retina. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that NMD treatment significantly decreased mRNA level of telomerase.
Conclusion:
These data suggest that NMD inhibit MNU-induced RD in rats. The expressions of TGF-β, telomerase and GSH contents might partially contribute to its protective effects on MNU-induced RD.
