Carbenoxolone Blocks the Light-Evoked Rise in Intracellular Calcium in Isolated Melanopsin Ganglion Cell Photoreceptors
2011

Carbenoxolone Blocks Calcium Rise in Retinal Ganglion Cells

Sample size: 20 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Bramley Jayne R., Wiles Erin M., Sollars Patricia J., Pickard Gary E.

Primary Institution: School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, United States of America

Hypothesis

Does carbenoxolone inhibit light-evoked calcium responses in melanopsin-expressing retinal ganglion cells?

Conclusion

Carbenoxolone inhibits the light-evoked rise in intracellular calcium in isolated melanopsin ganglion cell photoreceptors.

Supporting Evidence

  • Carbenoxolone completely abolished the light-evoked rise in intracellular calcium in isolated ipRGCs.
  • Recovery from carbenoxolone inhibition was variable, with some cells showing no recovery.
  • Carbenoxolone did not inhibit light-evoked action potential firing in ipRGCs in situ.

Takeaway

Carbenoxolone is a drug that stops certain cells in the eye from responding to light by blocking calcium signals, which are important for their function.

Methodology

The study used fura-2 imaging to examine light-evoked calcium responses in isolated rat ipRGCs in the presence and absence of carbenoxolone.

Limitations

Recovery from carbenoxolone inhibition was variable among cells.

Participant Demographics

Isolated melanopsin-expressing retinal ganglion cells from neonatal rats.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0022721

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