Protective effects of mixed crystamn on injured retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve injury in Long-Evans rats

Objective To investigate the effect of intraocular injection of mixed crystalline in vivo on survival of retinal ganglion cells(RGCs)after optic nerve cut.Methods Twenty Long-Evens rats were divided into normal control,and 7 day,14 day,and 21 day groups after optic nerve was cut off.There were 5 eyes in each group.Mixed crystallin(1x10~(-4)g/L)and isotonic saline solution were injected into the vitreous of fight eye and left eye respectively.The number of RGCs was counted 7,14 and 21 days after optic nerve cut.Results The density of RGCs declined clearly 7 days after optic nerve cut.In the group with crystallin injection,the density of RGCs declined to 71%,32% and 15% of the control group repec- tively,much higher than that of the controls on days 7,14 and 21 after optic nerve was cut off(P0.01). Conclusion lntraoeular injection of mixed crystallin can protect RGCs from injury and death after optic nerve is cut off,as can last for three weeks.