Heme oxygenase-1 induced in muller cells plays a protective role in retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

Purpose: To investigate the protective roles played by heme oxygenase (HO)-1 and -2 in the rat retina after ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Methods: Retinal ischemia was induced in rats by increasing the intraocular pressure to 110 mmHg for 60 minutes. The expression of HO-1 and -2 in the retina was determined by Western blot, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and immunohistochemistry.