Neuroprotective effects of erythropoietin on rat retinas subjected to oligemia

CONCLUSIONS: The number of partially preserved retinal ganglion cells in the erythropoietin-treated group suggests that erythropoietin exerts a neuroprotective effect on oligemic/ischemic retinas. This effect could be re lated to the down-modulation of glial reactivity, usually observed in hypoxic conditions, clinically observed during glaucoma or retinal artery occlusion conditions. Therefore, glial reactivity may enhance neurodegeneration in hypoxic conditions, like normal-tension glaucoma and retinal ischemia, an d erythropoietin is thus a candidate to be clinically applied after the detection of decreased retinal blood flow.
Source: Clinics - Category: General Medicine Source Type: research