Study summary · research use only
Hexarelin promotes the survival of retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve transection
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
In this study (golden hamsters, 8-9 weeks old; optic nerve transection model), the authors examined hexarelin, a growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a agonist, on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival. Single daily doses of 25 μg/kg, 50 μg/kg, and 100 μg/kg hexarelin for 5 days were associated with dose-dependent increases in RGC survival to 62.4%, 68.5%, and 74.6% respectively, versus 51.2% with saline, at 7 days after transection. Two daily doses of 100 μg/kg and 150 μg/kg hexarelin for 5 days were associated with RGC survival of 91.4% and 109.2% respectively, versus 72.9% with saline. The authors describe 150 μg/kg hexarelin given twice daily as associated with the greatest RGC survival observed in this model.
Abstract
Hexarelin is a growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a agonist with a potent anti-apoptotic effect. We studied the neuroprotective effect of hexarelin on the survival of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in the retina following optic nerve transection (ONT). Golden hamsters of 8-9 weeks old were used. For 7 days following ONT with one dose of drug, hamsters were injected with single dose of saline, 25 μg/kg, 50 μg/kg, and 100 μg/kg hexarelin daily for 5 days. For 7 days after ONT with two doses of drugs, saline, 100 μg/kg and 150 μg/kg hexarelin were injected twice daily for 5 days. Survival of RGCs was quantified by immunostaining with Tuj1 antibody in retina whole mount. Single daily doses of 25 μg/kg, 50 μg/kg, and 100 μg/kg hexarelin dose dependently and significantly increased the survival of RGC. The survival rates of RGC in saline, 25 μg/kg, 50 μg/kg, and 100 μg/kg hexarelin-treated hamsters were 51.2%, 62.4%, 68.5%, and 74.6%, respectively, in 7 days ONT. Two daily doses of saline, 100 μg/kg and 150 μg/kg hexarelin promoted survivals to 72.9%, 91.4%, and 109.2%, respectively, in 7 days ONT. Single daily doses of hexarelin dose dependently increased the survival of RGC. Two daily doses of hexarelin increased RGC survival further and 150 μg/kg hexarelin twice daily is optimal for the survival of RGC.
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