Optimization of an Ischemic Retinopathy Mouse Model and the Consequences of Hypoxia in a Time-Dependent Manner.

The retina is one of the highest metabolically active tissues with a high oxygen consumption, so insufficient blood supply leads to visual impairment. The incidence of related conditions is increasing; however, no effective treatment without side effects is available. Furthermore, the pathomechanism of these diseases is not fully understood.

Investigation of PACAP38 and PAC1 Receptor Expression in Human Retinoblastoma and the Effect of PACAP38 Administration on Human Y-79 Retinoblastoma Cells.

Retinoblastoma represents the most prevalent malignant neoplasm affecting the eyes in childhood. The clear-cut origin of retinoblastoma has not yet been determined; however, based on experiments, it has been suggested that loss in cone photoreceptors causes retinoblastoma. Pituitary adenylate-cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a pleiotropic neuropeptide which has been shown to be affected in certain tumorous transformations, such as breast, lung, kidney, pancreatic, colon, and endocrine cancers.

Protective Effects of Pituitary Adenylate-Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide on Retinal Vasculature and Molecular Responses in a Rat Model of Moderate Glaucoma.

Despite the high probability of glaucoma-related blindness, its cause is not fully understood and there is no efficient therapeutic strategy for neuroprotection. Vascular factors have been suggested to play an important role in glaucoma development and progression. Previously, we have proven the neuroprotective effects of pituitary adenylate-cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) eye drops in an inducible, microbeads model in rats that is able to reproduce many clinically relevant features of human glaucoma.

Distribution of PACAP and PAC1 Receptor in the Human Eye.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide with widespread distribution and diverse biological functions. Several studies show that PACAP has strong cytoprotective effects mediated mostly through its specific PAC1 receptor (PAC1-R) and it plays important roles in several pathological conditions. Its distribution and altered expression are known in various human tissues, but there is no descriptive data about PACAP and its receptors in the human eyebulb.

Retinoprotective Effects of PACAP Eye Drops in Microbead-Induced Glaucoma Model in Rats.

Glaucoma is associated with increased intraocular pressure (IOP), causing the apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and the loss of their axons leading to blindness. Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is neuroprotective in several neural injuries, including retinopathies. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PACAP1-38 eye drops in a model of glaucoma.