Hexarelin promotes the survival of retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve transection.
Hexarelin appears to increase the survival of retinal ganglion cells in a dose-dependent manner in a hamster model, with the highest survival rates observed at 150 μg/kg administered twice daily.
Where it sits
this study against the rest of the hexarelin corpusSummary and findings
This study investigated the neuroprotective effect of hexarelin on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival following optic nerve transection in golden hamsters. Various doses of hexarelin were administered, with findings indicating increased RGC survival rates. The optimal dose identified was 150 μg/kg administered twice daily.
Abstract
<h4>Objective</h4>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).<h4>Materials and methods</h4>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.<h4>Results</h4>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.<h4>Conclusions</h4>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.