Fluoxetine Protects Retinal Ischemic Damage in Mice

• Main Authors: Giovanni Luca Romano (Author), Lucia Gozzo (Author), Oriana Maria Maurel (Author), Serena Di Martino (Author), Valentina Riolo (Author), Vincenzo Micale (Author), Filippo Drago (Author), Claudio Bucolo (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: MDPI AG, 2023-04-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Background: To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of the topical ocular administration of fluoxetine (FLX) in a mouse model of acute retinal damage. Methods: Ocular ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in C57BL/6J mice was used to elicit retinal damage. Mice were divided into three groups: control group, I/R group, and I/R group treated with topical FLX. A pattern electroretinogram (PERG) was used as a sensitive measure of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) function. Finally, we analyzed the retinal mRNA expression of inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α, Iba-1, IL-1β, and S100β) through Digital Droplet PCR. Results: PERG amplitude values were significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) higher in the I/R-FLX group compared to the I/R group, whereas PERG latency values were significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) reduced in I/R-FLX-treated mice compared to the I/R group. Retinal inflammatory markers increased significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) after I/R injury. FLX treatment was able to significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.05) attenuate the expression of inflammatory markers after I/R damage. Conclusions: Topical treatment with FLX was effective in counteracting the damage of RGCs and preserving retinal function. Moreover, FLX treatment attenuates the production of pro-inflammatory molecules elicited by retinal I/R damage. Further studies need to be performed to support the use of FLX as neuroprotective agent in retinal degenerative diseases.

Item Description

10.3390/pharmaceutics15051370
1999-4923