d-Allose as ischemic retina injury inhibitor during rabbit vitrectomy

To investigate the protective effects of d-allose, a rare sugar, on pressure-induced ischemia during vitrectomy in the rabbit eye. The rabbits underwent pars plana vitrectomy, and continuous intraocular irrigation at a perfusion pressure of 140 mmHg was performed for 45 min. Intraocular pressure was regulated by adjusting the height of a bottle of balanced saline solution containing d-allose. Morphometric studies were performed to study the effects of d-allose on the histological changes induced by ischemia in the rabbit retina. Electroretinograms (ERGs) were taken before and 1 and 7 days after vitrectomy. Nitroblue tetrazolium was used as an index of superoxide anion (O (2) (center dot-) ) generation. Data were analyzed by use of the unpaired Student's t test. Seven days after ischemia, significant reductions in both number of ganglion cells and the thickness of the inner plexiform layer were observed. d-Allose significantly inhibited ischemic injury of the inner retina (P < 0.05). On postoperative day 7, amplitudes of ERG b-waves were significantly lower in the control group than in the d-allose group (P < 0.05). d-Allose suppressed the production of O-2 (-). Intraocular irrigation with d-allose during vitrectomy may protect the retina against ischemia-induced damage.