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Phoneutria spider toxins block ischemia-induced glutamate release and neuronal death of cell layers of the retina.

AbstractPURPOSE:
To investigate the effect of calcium channel blockers, spider toxins, on cell viability and the glutamate content of ischemic retinal slices.
METHODS:
Rat retinal slices were subjected to ischemia via exposure to oxygen-deprived low-glucose medium for 45 minutes. Slices were either treated or not treated with the toxins PhTx3, Tx3-3, and Tx3-4. After oxygen-deprived low-glucose insult, glutamate content and cell viability were assessed in the slices by confocal and optical microscopy.
RESULTS:
In the retinal ischemic slices that were treated with PhTx3, Tx3-3, and Tx3-4, confocal imaging showed a decrease in cell death of 79.5 ± 3.1%, 75.5 ± 5.8%, and 61 ± 3.8%, respectively. Neuroprotective effects were also observed 15, 30, 60, and 90 minutes after the onset of the retinal ischemic injury. As a result of the ischemia, glutamate increased from 6.2 ± 1.0 nMol/mg protein to 13.2 ± 1.0 nMol/mg protein and was inhibited by PhTx3, Tx3-3, and Tx3-4 to 8.6 ± 0.7, 8.8 ± 0.9, and 7.4 ± 0.8 nMol/mg protein, respectively. Histologic analysis of the live cells in the outer, inner, and ganglion cell layers of the ischemic slices showed a considerable reduction in cell death by the toxin treatment.
CONCLUSION:
Spider toxins reduced glutamate content and cell death of retinal ischemic slices.
AuthorsRafael Mourão Agostini, Ana Cristina do Nascimento Pinheiro, Nancy Scardua Binda, Marco Aurélio Romano Silva, Marta do Nascimento Cordeiro, Michael Richardson, André Luiz Sena Guimarães, Marcus Vinicius Gomez
JournalRetina (Philadelphia, Pa.) (Retina) 2011 Jul-Aug Vol. 31 Issue 7 Pg. 1392-9 ISSN: 1539-2864 [Electronic] United States
PMID21394062 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Neuropeptides
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Neurotoxins
  • Spider Venoms
  • Tx3 neurotoxin
  • Glutamic Acid
Topics
  • Animals
  • Calcium Channel Blockers (pharmacology)
  • Cell Death (drug effects)
  • Cell Survival (drug effects)
  • Glutamic Acid (metabolism)
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Neuropeptides (pharmacology)
  • Neuroprotective Agents (pharmacology)
  • Neurotoxins (pharmacology)
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Reperfusion Injury (metabolism, prevention & control)
  • Retinal Diseases (metabolism, prevention & control)
  • Retinal Neurons (drug effects)
  • Spider Venoms (pharmacology)

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