[Animal modeling]-Changes in the morphology of the retina and the expression of RhoA and ROCK-2 in rats with ocular ischemic syndrome

  Objective To establish a rat model of ocular ischemic syndrome (OIS) to observe the morphology of the retina and the expression of RhoA and ROCK-2 in the rat retina after ischemia.

  Method 20 Brown Norway rats were randomly divided into OIS model group and sham operation group. The rats in the OIS model group were modeled by the complete ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries (BCCAO); the rats in the sham operation group were only freed without ligation. Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe the number of retinal ganglion cells and the thickness of each layer of the retina in the two groups of rats after 3 months of modeling; immunohistochemistry and western blotting were used to analyze the RhoA and ROCK of the two groups of rats -2 expression level in the retina.

  Results 9 rats in the model group were successfully modeled. Compared with the sham operation group, the number of retinal ganglion cells in the model group decreased significantly (P<0.01); the total thickness of the retina and the thickness of the inner plexiform layer, inner plexiform layer, and outer plexiform layer were significantly reduced (all P<0.05) the="" thickness="" of="" outer="" nuclear="" layer="" is="" relatively="" but="" difference="" not="" statistically="" significant="" p="">0.05). Compared with the sham operation group, the expression levels of RhoA protein and ROCK-2 protein in the retina of the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01 for the former and P<0.05 for the latter).

  Conclusion The expressions of RhoA and ROCK-2 in the OIS model group are significantly increased, which may provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of the disease.