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Updated: Sep 26, 2025

Remote Limb Ischemic Preconditioning: A Neuroprotective Technique in Rodents
Published on: June 2, 2015
Protective limb remote ischemic post-conditioning against high-intraocular-pressure-induced retinal injury in mice
Qi-Jiang Zhu1,2, Lei Zhang2,3, Shuang-Yu Lyu3
1School of Clinical Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, Henan Province, China.
Aim:
To determine whether limb remote ischemic post-conditioning (LRIC) protects against high-intraocular-pressure (IOP)-induced retinal injury, and to identify underlying molecular mechanisms.
Methods:
In mice, IOP was increased to 110 mm Hg for 50min and LRIC applied to the unilateral leg for three occlusion cycles (5min/release). Three animal groups (control, high IOP, and high IOP+LRIC) were arranged in this study. Plasma was collected from LRIC treated mice. Retinal histology, oxidative stress were determined by histological section staining and chemical kit. C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), and Iba-1 parameters were evaluated by immunofluorescent staining and Western blot.
Results:
The data showed that LRIC treatment alleviated the retinal histological disorganization and ganglion cell loss induced by high IOP. The CHOP, Iba-1 expression and oxidative stress marker also were inhibited by LRIC treatment. To further explore underlying mechanisms, plasma from LRIC treated animals was intravenously transfused into high-IOP animals. The results showed plasma injection decreased caspase 9 expression and DHE staining signals compared with that in high IOP retinas.
Conclusion:
These data suggest that LRIC treatments exert retinal protective effects against high-IOP injury. Endogenous humoral factors release into the circulation by LRIC may contribute to homeostatic protection by reducing monocyte infiltration and/or microglia activation.

