Purpose: 5-HT(1A) agonists are neuroprotective in CNS injury models. The authors evaluated the efficacy of 5-HT(1A) agonists to protect the retina from severe blue light-induced photo-oxidative damage.

Methods: Albino rats were dosed (subcutaneously) with AL-8309A, 8-OH DPAT, or buspirone once or three times before 6-hour exposure to blue light. Electroretinograms (ERGs) were measured to assess retinal function, and retinal damage was evaluated by light microscopy. Topical ocular dosing with 1.75% AL-8309B was also evaluated. Rats were dosed with WAY-100635, a 5-HT(1A) antagonist, to determine whether protection required activation of the 5-HT(1A) receptor.

Results: ERG response amplitudes were significantly (P < 0.05) depressed more than 66% in vehicle-dosed rats after light exposure. ERGs were significantly higher in rats treated with AL-8309A (0.1-30 mg/kg), 8-OH DPAT (0.1-1 mg/kg), buspirone (5-20 mg/kg) or topical ocular with 1.75% AL-8309B. Retinas from AL-8309A and 8-OH DPAT-treated rats were devoid of histologic lesions. Significant protection was measured in rats dosed once 0, 24, or 48 hours before light exposure. Protection provided by dosing with AL-8309B or 8-OH DPAT was inhibited in rats predosed with WAY-100635.

Conclusions: 5-HT(1A) agonists provided potent and complete functional and structural protection. Protection was inhibited by treatment with WAY-100635, confirming the requirement for activating the 5-HT(1A) receptor in initiating this survival pathway. Single-dose experiments with AL-8309A suggest that the mechanism of protection is rapidly activated and protection persists for 48 hours. AL-8309B (1.75%) was effective after topical ocular dosing. AL-8309B is under evaluation in the clinic and may be useful in treating age-related macular degeneration.