Comparing the effects of two different irrigation solutions on an isolated perfused vertebrate retina

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the effect of a taurine-containing intraocular irrigation solution (PuriProtect™) to a standard irrigation solution (BSS™) we evaluated the retinal function using an electroretinogram (ERG) and analyzed the survival of retinal ganglion cells on isolated whole mount retinas. Materials and Methods: During ERG recordings, each irrigation solution was superfused for 45 min with the relevant irrigation solution. To investigate the effects on photoreceptor function, 1 mM asparate was added to obtain a-waves. The recovery of the a-and b-wave was monitored after superfusing the retinas with standard medium again. To evaluate the percentage of dead ganglion cells, retinas were stored for 24 h at 4°C in darkness and after staining the retinas with ethidium homodimer-1 the retinas were analyzed using fluorescence microscopy. Results: The application of standard medium supplemented with 2 mM taurine resulted in a significant increase of the b-wave amplitude compared to standard medium alone. The a-wave amplitudes showed no significant changes under taurine supplementation. Compared to standard medium BSS showed no significant decrease in b-wave amplitudes, but a significant decrease in a-wave amplitudes. In contrast to BSS there were no significant changes in the a-or b-wave amplitudes detectable after the application of PuriProtect. At the end of the washout period no significant changes in a-or b-wave amplitudes were recorded for any tested irrigation solution. Retinas stored for 24 h in PuriProtect or in standard medium with taurine had a statistically significant smaller amount of dead cells than retinas stored in standard medium without taurine supplementation. Conclusions: BSS does not seem to be an ideal irrigation solution, because it compromises the a-wave in the ERG. In contrast to BSS, PuriProtect showed no significant impact on the ERG and showed a better long-term effect on ganglion cell survival. Taurine supplementation, therefore, seems to be neuroprotective and its supplementation to an intraocular irrigation solution favorable for the retina. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.