Abstract
The initial injury in the animal model of oxygen induced retinopathy is thought to be irreversible arteriolar constriction. Since vitamin E is beneficial in this model, its effect on early arteriolar constriction, as well as the effect of prostaglandin inhibitors (as used in the beagle model) were tested. 3 day old kittens were placed in 80% oxygen and their retinas perfused with india ink 48hrs later. Pretreatment from day 1 with free tocopherol (vitamin E) 200 mg/kg/day IM, aspirin 20 mg/kg/day orally, or indomethacin 0.5 mg/kg/day orally was compared to no drug treatment in oxygen and room air controls. 5 kittens were randomly assigned to each group. Additionally, the effects of 8% carbon dioxide in combination with 21% oxygen (room air), 80% oxygen, or aspirin plus 80% oxygen was studied.
All treatments except room air control and 8% carbon dioxide in room air O2 resulted in near total obliteration of patent retinal vessels, as demonstrated with the india ink perfusions. Kittens in 8% carbon dioxide with only 21% oxygen had moderate attenuation of the smallest vessels and partial closure of the arterioles. This unexpected failure of carbon dioxide to cause vasodilitation is unexplained.
Vitamin E does not exert its beneficial effect on oxygen induced retinopathy in the kitten by maintaining vessel patencey during hyperoxia.
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Phelps, D. 300 LACK OF DRUG EFFECT ON OXYGEN INDUCED RETINAL ARTERY CONSTRICTION IN THE KITTEN. Pediatr Res 19, 160 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00330
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198504000-00330