Protective effect of hepatocyte growth factor against degeneration of the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptor in sodium iodate-injected rats.

Purpose: To investigate the possible protective effect of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) against degeneration of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in vivo.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats received an intravitreal injection of HGF in the right eye. The left eye was injected with vehicle as a control.

Third-order neuronal responses contribute to shaping the negative electroretinogram in sodium iodate-treated rats.

Purpose: To determine possible mechanisms that shape the negative electroretinograms (ERGs) in rats with photoreceptor degeneration induced by destruction of the retinal pigment epithelium.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 48) were injected intravenously with 60 mg/kg of sodium iodate (NaIO(3)). Full-field ERGs were elicited by different stimulus intensities with a maximum luminance of 1.

Neuroprotective effect of hepatocyte growth factor against photoreceptor degeneration in rats.

Purpose: To determine whether hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has a neuroprotective effect against photoreceptor degeneration in rats.

Methods: Eight-week-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) and 24-day-old Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats received an intravitreal injection of HGF in the right eyes. The left eyes were injected with vehicle and served as the control.