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Abstract
Purpose
Ephedrine has various side effects in the cardiovascular and nervous systems. However, the cellular mechanism of toxicity remains unknown, specifically on the retina. This study was to investigate effects of ephedrine on the retina and explore the underlying mechanisms.
Methods
Sprague Dawley rats were treated with ephedrine (n = 10) or saline (n = 10) by oral gavage for seven days. The retinal morphology was evaluated by Toluidine blue staining. Apoptosis-related markers were detected in the retinal lysate. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to measure neurotransmitters and oxidative stress markers. Real-time PCR and western blot were used to measure gene and protein expression, respectively.
Results
Our results demonstrated that ephedrine induced apoptosis in the retina, increased dopamine level as well as oxidative stress, and down-regulated the Jak2/Stat3 gene expression as well as protein expression of p-JAK2/p-STAT3.
Conclusions
Our study indicated that ephedrine treatment caused retinal damage in SD rats, which may be associated with the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.
Disclosure statement
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.
Author contributions
Study concepts and design: Zhijun Wang
Experimental studies: Yue Yin, Di Gong, Yan Tang
Data analysis: Yue Yin, Yan Tang
Manuscript preparation: Yue Yin, Di Gong, Yan Tang, Zhijun Wang
Statement of animal rights
All animal procedures were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the Beijing China-Japan Friendship Hospital and were conducted in accordance with the regulation for the Use of Animals in Ophthalmic and Vision Research.