Effect of taurine on rat retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of taurine on retina in rats with the damage of retinal ischemia-reperfusion(RIR).Methods Ninety SD rats were divided randomly into three groups:control group,ischemia group and protective group.RIR models were made with infusing lipids to anterior chambers and increasing pressure to 14.63 kPa for 1 hour.The rats in the protective group received intraperitoneal injection of taurine at a dose of 100 mg·kg-1 twice a day for 3 days and 30 minutes before retinal ischemia.The rats in the control group received a intraperitoneal injection of sodium chloride at same dose.At 0 hour,2 hours,6 hours,12 hours,24 hours,48 hours and 72 hours after ischemia-reperfusion,the effect of taurine on retinal degeneration was assessed by measuring the level of SOD,MDA,NO with colorimetric method and the mean thickness of inner retinal layers with light microscope.Results Taurine could prevent the increasing of MDA and NO and correct the mean thickness of inner retinal layers,but the effect to SOD was unclear.Conclusion Taurine can protect the retina from ischemia-reperfusion injury.