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Biocompatibility and Neuroprotective Property of a Taurine–containing Irrigation Solution for Vitrectomy in Rabbits

¹ University Eye Hospital, Tuebingen, Germany
² Department of Ophthalmology, Wroclaw Medial University, Wroclaw, Poland

Commercial Relationships: M. Warga, None; P. Szurman, None; G. Salvatore, None; A. Sierra, None; A. Tura, None; F. Ziemssen, None; R.T. Kaczmarek, None; K.U. Bartz–Schmidt, Acri Tec F.

Support: None.

Abstract

Purpose:During vitrectomy the retina underlies several iatrogenic risk factors including light–damage, chemical–toxic properties of the irrigation solution and mechanical stress due to intraoperative manipulations onto the retina. To investigate a possible neuroprotective effect and the biocompatibility of a taurine–containing irrigating solution, we examined rabbit eyes after vitrectomy using two different irrigation solutions.

Methods:Vitrectomy was performed for one hour in 18 rabbits divided in two groups. One group was operated with a conventional irrigation solution (AcriPur, Acri Tec GmbH, Glienicke b. Berlin), the other group with additional taurine at a concentration of 375µg/ml. Follow–up at day 1, 3 and 7 included pachymetry of the cornea and electroretinography. After enucleation histology and a life/death–cytotoxity test (propidiumjodid and diamino–2–phenylindol) were performed to analyze the biocompatibility and the neuroprotective property.

Results:Pachymetry revealed a postoperative increase of corneal thickness that was less pronounced in the taurine group. Furthermore, there was an obvious reduction of the b–wave amplitude with a maximum one hour after vitrectomy and a recovery within one week. However, taurine irrigated eyes showed less decline of the b–wave amplitude. No difference between both groups was seen in histology, nor in the number of necrotic cells.

Conclusions:Our results demonstrate good biocompatibility of the taurine–containing irrigation solution. Electrophysiology and Pachymetry demonstrate a better cellular function of the retina and a more stable corneal endothelium barrier after vitrectomy by using the taurine–containing irrigation solution. In general, vitrectomy is a procedure with only little cytotoxic effect. By using a taurine–containing irrigation solution the retina cells seem to get less damage regarding the functional results of pachymetrie and electrophysiology, indicating a relevant neuroprotective effect.

Keywords: vitreoretinal surgery • neuroprotection • vitreous substitutes

© 2005, The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc., all rights reserved. For permission to reproduce any part of this abstract, contact the ARVO Office at arvo{at}arvo.org.