摘要：The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) administration
on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in experimentally induced glaucoma (GL) and diabetic
retinopathy (DR). GL was induced in adult rats by injection of hypertonic saline into the episcleral
vein of the eye and diabetes (DT) was induced by administration of streptozoticin. Control and
experimental rats were treated daily with either ocular application of NGF or vehicle solution. We
found that both animal models present a progressive degeneration of RGCs and changing NGF
and VEGF levels in the retina and optic nerve. We then proved that NGF eye drop administration
exerts a protective effect on these models of retinal degeneration. In brief, our findings indicate that
NGF can play a protective role against RGC degeneration occurring in GL and DR and suggest that
ocular NGF administration might be an effective pharmacological approach.
