The Effects of Cholera Toxin on the Regeneration of Neuropeptide Y-Immunoreactive Retinal Ganglion Cells in Adult Golden Hamster / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

ABSTRACT

【Objective】 To examine the regeneration of NPY-immuno reactivity (IR) retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and the effects of cholera toxin ( CTx) injected or/and peripheral nerve implanted on regeneration of NPY-IR RGCs. 【Methods】 16 adult golden hamsters were ramdomly divided into 4 groups. Optic nerve (ON) was transacted and a segment of autologous sciatic nerve (attached g raft, AG) was removed and sutured to the proximal stump of ON in regenerating co ntrol group (AG group). The animals in experimental groups were further treated with CTx injection or/and implantation of a short of segment sciatic nerve (SN) intravitrously. By using the retrograde labeling with fluorogold (FG) combined w ith fluorescent immunocytochemistry, the regenerated NPY-IR RGCs were observed and counted under fluorescent microscope. 【Results】 At 4 weeks after surgery, the mean number of regenerated NPY-IR RGCs per retina in AG group was 58±22 wh ich constitutes (3.36±0.65)% of the total regenerated RGCs. In AG+CTx, AG+SN and AG+CTx+SN experimental groups, the mean numbers of regenerated NPY-IR RGCs per retina were 143±47, 125±37 and 437±77 ordinally which constitute (5.15± 0.89)%, (5.34±0.37)% and (8.11±0.85)% of the total regenerated RGCs respec tively, which were increased significantly compared with those in AG group. 【Co nclusion】 The results show that the axotomized NPY-IR RGCs have th e capability of regenerating their axons into the attached PN graft, CTx and/or SN could enhance the regeneration of the NPY-IR RGCs.