RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the expression changes of the hydrogen sulfide synthases cystathionine γ-lyase ï¼CSEï¼, cystathionine ß-synthase ï¼CBSï¼, and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase ï¼3-MSTï¼, after optic nerve crush ï¼ONCï¼ in rat the retina. METHODS: The rat model of ONC was established. Rats were divided into normal control, ONC, and sham control groups. Histopathologic changes in retina, the number of retinal ganglion cells ï¼RGCï¼ and retinal thickness of inner part ï¼RTIPï¼ were measured. The changes of CSE, CBS and 3-MST mRNA expression were detected with quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: The retinal histostructure was normal in normal controls and with minor changes in sham controls, respectively. Compared with sham group, significant retina damages were found in the ONC groupï¼ a time-dependent reduction of RGC number and RTIP. Expressions of CSE, CBS and 3-MST mRNA in rat retina were detected in normal control. Compared with normal controls, the expressions of CSE, CBS and 3-MST mRNA did not show any significant changes in the sham controls. Compared with sham controls, CBS mRNA expressions showed a time-dependent increase at 3 d, 7 d and 14 d after crush in the ONC group; CSE mRNA expressions increased to the peak at 3 d and then slightly reduced at 14 d after crush; 3-MST mRNA expressions showed the trend of increase at 3 d and 7 d and then enhanced remarkably at 14 d after crush. CONCLUSIONS: Hydrogen sulfide synthases CSE, CBS and 3-MST expressions were up-regulated in rat retina following ONC, which may cause an increase in local endogenous hydrogen sulfide production in the retina and a compensatory protective effect.