J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  1991 Oct;32(10):878-883.

Ultra-Structural Changes of the Chorioretina Following Intra-Vitreal Injection of Ornithine in Rabbit

• Kim BJ
• Yoo YS
• Yoo JH

Abstract

The ultrastructural changes of the chorioretina following the intravitreal injection of ornithine in rabbit eyes at 1,2,4,8 week time intervals were investigated employing electron microscopy in this animal experiment. 1. 1 week after injection, swelling of the mitochondria in the cytoplasm of the pigment epithelium was seen. 2. 2 weeks after injection, phagosomes and phagolysosomes were present in the cytoplasm of the pigment epithelium and nerve elements in the inner nuclear layer disappeared and were replaced by Muller cell. 3. 4 weeks after injection, stroma of the choroid was atrophied and abundant melanocytes were aggregated, and papillary formed pigment epithelium with detachment of the retina was seen. 4. 8 weeks after injection, stromal atrophy and attenuated choriocapillaries of the choroid were present, and proliferation of the microvilli of the pigment epithelium after detachment of the retina was seen. 5. In summary intravitreal injection of ornithine in rabbits initially caused marked changes in the pigment epithelium with subsequent degeneration of the choroid and sensory retina.

Keyword

Chorioretina; Electron microscopy; Ornithine

MeSH Terms

Animal Experimentation
Atrophy
Choroid
Cytoplasm
Epithelium
Intravitreal Injections
Melanocytes
Microscopy, Electron
Microvilli
Mitochondria
Ornithine*
Phagosomes
Rabbits
Retina
Ornithine