Abstract

Increasing numbers of children are suffering from hypoxia-related visual impairments such as retinopathy of prematurity. This study aimed to investigate whether all trans retinoic acid reverses hypoxia related impairments in retinal vasculature. Oxygen induced retinopathy model was established in mouse and the expression of ciliary neurotrophic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and hypoxia inducible factor 1 was detected. We found that ciliary neurotrophic factor level decreased and vascular endothelial growth factor and hypoxia inducible factor 1 levels increased in model mice. However, all trans retinoic acid suppressed the expression of retinal vascular endothelial growth factor and hypoxia inducible factor 1 while upregulated retinal ciliary neurotrophic factor expression in model mice. In conclusion, all trans retinoic acid can reverse the effects of hypoxia on retinal neovascularization and attenuate retinal neurodegeneration. All trans retinoic acid is a potential agent for the prevention and therapy of retinopathy of prematurity.