Leuprolide Acetate, a GnRH Agonist, Holds Up Neurodegeneration in an Experimental Glaucoma Model

Abstract

Glaucoma is the main cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. In short, it is a multifactorial progressive optic neuropathy that correlates with retinal ganglion cell death, optic nerve head disturbances, and visual field disorders. Leuprolide acetate have recently been reported to have neurotrophic properties, the aim of this work was to determine whether it´s systemic administration holds up the neurodegenerative process in an experimental glaucoma model. Wistar rats divided into three groups were included: 1) a control group, 2) a hyaluronic acid-induced glaucoma group, and 3) a hyaluronic acid-induced glaucoma group treated with intramuscular leuprolide acetate. The eye electrical responses to light were recorded by simultaneous full-field electroretinography, and the eyes were processed for histological study. The results showed an improvement in the electrical activity, a recovery of fibers from the optic nerve as well as a reduction of the reactive astrogliosis in the leuprolide acetate treated group. In short, leuprolide acetate is a new potential alternative treatment in glaucoma, as it holds up the neurodegenerative process.