Neuroprotective activity of fluoxetine in the retina of rats subjected to experimental light exposure
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/s2175-97902026e24828Palavras-chave:
Fluoxetine, Retina, Retinal degeneration, Neuroprotective agentResumo
This study evaluated the neuroprotective effects of fluoxetine in the retina of 45 Wistar rats exposed to intense light (3000 LUX for 12 hours). The animals were assigned to prevention (CG, PhotoG, and FG) and regeneration (RCG, RPhotoG, FG 7, FG 14, FG 21, and FG 30) groups, receiving daily fluoxetine treatment (10 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally [i.p.]) either before or after photoexposure. Retinal analysis was performed using histology and histomorphometry (hematoxylin and eosin staining), detection of apoptosis (TUNEL assay), and electroretinography (ERG). Rats in the PhotoG group demonstrated reduced outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness (~25 µm), an increased apoptotic index, and decreased b-wave amplitudes in the ERG (~60 µV), compared to controls. The FG group maintained ONL thickness (~36 µm), exhibited reduced apoptosis, and demonstrated improved electrophysiological responses. In the FG 30 group, ONL thickness increased to approximately 39 µm, apoptosis decreased, and the b-wave amplitude increased to ~120 µV, accompanied by reduced implicit times. These findings indicate that fluoxetine protects the retina against light-induced damage through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic mechanisms, with enhanced efficacy following prolonged administration, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for retinal degenerative diseases.
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