Cellular and Vascular Changes in the Retina of Neonatal Rats after an Acute Exposure to Hypoxia

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to examine the effects of an acute hypoxic exposure on the retinal cells and production of vascular factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nitric oxide (NO), which may affect vascular permeability in the developing retina. METHODS: Retinas of 1-day-old rats were examined at 3 hours to 14 days after hypoxic exposure. The mRNA and protein expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha), VEGF, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), neuronal NOS (nNOS), and inducible NOS (iNOS) were determined by real-time RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry. Electron microscopy was used to examine the structural alterati..