Quantitative analysis by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and retinal neuroprotection after topical administration of moxonidine

• Published in: International journal of ophthalmology 2020-03, Vol.13 (3), p.390-398
• Main Authors: Zhang, Qian, Chu, Mei-Fang, Li, Yan-Hong, Li, Chun-Hua, Lei, Run-Jia, Wang, Si-Cen, Xiao, Bao-Jun, Yang, Jian-Gang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Basic Research; moxonidine; neuroprotection; retinal ganglion cell; reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography; superoxide dismutase
• ISSN: 2222-3959; 2227-4898
• DOI: 10.18240/ijo.2020.03.04

To determine moxonidine in aqueous humor and iris-ciliary body by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), and to evaluate the retinal neuroprotective effect after topical administration with moxonidine in a high intraocular pressure (IOP) model. The eyes of albino rabbits were administered topically and ipsilaterally with 0.2% moxonidine. A RP-HPLC method was employed for the identification and quantification of moxonidine between 2 and 480min, which presented in the aqueous humor and iris-ciliary body. Flash electroretinography (F-ERG) amplitude and superoxide dismutase (SOD) level were measured between day 1 and day 15 after topical administration with moxonidine in a rabbit model of high IOP. Histological and ultrastructural observation underwent to analyze the changes of retinal morphology, the inner retinal layers (IRL) thickness, and retinal ganglion cell (RGC) counting. Moxonidine was detectable between 2 and 480min after administration, and the peak concentration developed both in the two tissues at 30min, 0.51 µg/mL in aqueous humor and 1.03 µg/g in iris-ciliary body. In comparison to control, F-ERG b-wave amplitude in moxonidine eyes were significantly differences between day 3 and day 15 (