Retinotoxic effects of diaminodiphenoxybutane in rats

The effects of diaminodiphenoxybutane (DAPB) on visual function in rats were studied using behavioral, electrophysiological and histological techniques. A light-dark discrimination test was conducted by an operant behavioral method. DAPB did not modify intensity detection threshold at an intravenous dose of 35 mg/kg, but elevated it at doses of 50 and 70 mg/kg. Secondly, DAPB did not produce any changes in either electroretinogram (ERG) or visually evoked potential (VEP) at the dose of 35 mg/kg, but a marked decrease in the amplitude of the ERG a- and b-waves appeared after the doses of 50 and 70 mg/kg. The latency of the VEP first wave was also prolonged dose-dependently. Finally, retinal lesions were revealed in rats receiving 70 mg/kg. These results indicate that DAPB has a toxic effect on the retina in rats.