Free radicals in retinal ischemia

1. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can be generated in biological tissues, including the retina, in particular under or after ischemia. They can provoke cell necrosis by reacting with cell components or they can trigger programmed cell death by activating specific targets. 2. Experiments based on electroretinography and electron spin resonance spin trapping analysis show that ROS are produced in the rabbit retina during ischemic episodes themselves as well as reperfusion. ROS are also generated as a consequence of ischemia by overstimulation of glutamate ionotropic receptors and calcium-dependent activation of enzymes such as phospholipase A2 and nitric oxide synthase. 3. The targets of ROS that can be responsible for functional damage of the retina are numerous: Na+-K+-ATPase inhibition leads to ionic imbalance and electroretinogram alteration; inhibition of glutamate transporter contributes to excitotoxicity. In addition, ROS can be deleterious by inducing protein synthesis (e.g., apoptotic proteins, vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor). 4. In this short review, we consider the various mechanisms of ROS generation in retinal ischemia and the different effects of ROS so as to suggest possible effects of neuroprotective agents.