2012 Volume 31 Pages 13-17
The purpose of this study was to examine whether the drug-induced alteration of electroretinogram (ERG) corresponding to that reported in humans could be detected by ERG assessment of the function of rod- and cone-pathways in cynomolgus monkeys.
Digoxin, which has been reported to cause visual disturbances and reversible attenuation of the cone-driven ERGs in humans, was administered daily to five cynomolgus monkeys by intramuscular injection at a dose of 0.01 mg/kg/day for one month, followed by a one-month recovery period. According to a standardized procedure in humans, the rod-driven ERG (rod response), rod- and cone-driven ERG (combined rod-cone response) and cone-driven ERGs (single-flash cone response and 30 Hz flicker) were recorded serially.
Increased implicit times of the combined rod-cone response and the single-flash cone response, and decreased amplitudes of the single-flash cone response and the 30 Hz flicker were detected. All changes in ERG recovered during the recovery period. No apparent attenuation was observed in the rod response.
In conclusion, a digoxin-induced reversible attenuation of the cone-driven ERGs could be detected by the ERG assessment of the function of rod- and cone-pathways in cynomolgus monkeys. Our results imply that this method may be useful for collecting non-clinical data that is relevant to humans.
