RETINAL DAMAGE CAUSED BY HIGH INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE–INDUCED TRANSIENT ISCHEMIA IS PREVENTED BY COENZYME Q10 IN RAT Carlo Nucci,* ,y Rosanna Tartaglione, z Angelica Cerulli,* R. Mancino,* A. Spano `,* Federica Cavaliere, z Laura Rombola `, z G. Bagetta, z,} M. Tiziana Corasaniti, y,¶ and Luigi A. Morrone z,} *Physiopathological Optics, Department of Biopathology, University of Rome ‘‘Tor Vergata’’ 00133 Rome, Italy y IRCCS (Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Neurological Institute C. Mondino Foundation, ‘‘Mondino-Tor Vergata,’’ Center for Experimental Neuropharmacology, Laboratori of Neurochemistry, 00133 Rome, Italy z Department of Pharmacobiology, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy } University Center for Adaptive Disorders and Headache (UCHAD) Section of Neuropharmacology of Normal and Pathological Neuronal Plasticity University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy ¶ Department of Pharmacobiological Sciences, University ‘‘Magna Graecia’’ of Catanzaro 88100 Catanzaro, Italy I. Introduction II. Materials and Methods A. Ischemia Model B. Microdialysis C. Morphometric Analysis D. Drug Application E. Statistical Analysis III. Results A. CoQ10 Minimizes Glutamate Increase Induced by Ischemia/Reperfusion B. CoQ10 Affords Neuroprotection Against Cell Loss Yielded by Ischemia/Reperfusion in the RGC Layer IV. Discussion References Recent studies support a role for excitotoxicity in the development of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) damage in subjects suVering from glaucoma. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an essential cofactor of the electron transport chain, has been reported to aVord neuroprotection, preventing the formation of the mitochondrial perme- ability transition pore. Using an established animal model of retinal ischemia/ reperfusion here, we show that synaptic glutamate increases at 130 min from beginning of reperfusion and delayed apoptosis in the RGC layer is seen at 24 h. Intraocular administration of CoQ10 minimizes glutamate increase and aVords INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF 397 NEUROBIOLOGY, VOL. 82 Copyright 2007, Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. DOI: 10.1016/S0074-7742(07)82022-8 0074-7742/07 $35.00