Antioxidant Effect of Benphothyamine in the Retina and Optic Nerve Tissues of Rabbits with Experimental Glaucoma (Ophthalmohypertension) on the Background of Streptosotocin Diabetes
We studied the effect of the fat-soluble form of vitamin B1 benfotiamine (BFT) on markers of oxidative damage to biomolecules (MDA and CO groups) and the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) of the retina and optic nerve in experimental glaucoma against the background of diabetic streptozotocin in rabbits. Glaucoma was reproduced by introducing methylcellulose into the anterior chamber of the eye. BFT was administered per os 50 mg per day (twice a day at 25 mg) for 2 months. A pronounced metabolic effect of BFT was obtained in modeling glaucoma and diabetes in rabbits. The level of free radical oxidation markers (MDA and carbonyl groups of proteins) was decreased, whereas the activity of antioxidant enzymes of the first line of defense was increased under the influence of course administration of the lipophilic form of vitamin B1 in the nerve tissues of the rabbit’s eyes with diabetes and glaucoma. This indicates the protective effect of BFT on the retina and optic nerve during oxidative stress, which may justify the use of the fat-soluble form of vitamin B1 as a neuroprotective agent in the treatment of patients with primary glaucoma, especially those accompanied by diabetes mellitus.