Effect of Methanol intoxication on the Function of Retina of Rabbit

Methanol is an ideal candidate to replace fossil fuels. However, alterations in the retinal function are primarily associated with methanol intoxication. In the present work, chronic methanol intoxication was carried out in New Zealand rabbits previously depleted of foliates with methotrexate. We analyze the effect of long-term alcohol consumption on oxidative stress parameters of the rabbit retinas and its correlation to retinal function. We show that methanol has a toxic effect on rabbit retina associated with oxidative stress. Decreases in retina glutathione concentration and increases in catalase activity in whole retina homogenate significantly correlate with ERG a- and b-wave decrease. We show also a marked change in the molecular structure and orientation of rhodopsin in cell membranes of the retina. Chronic methanol consumption induces oxidative stress in rabbit retina associated with an impairment of ERG and molecular changes of membrane proteins. (Alaa El-Din A. Gawad and Amal E. Ibrahim. Effect of Methanol intoxication on the Function of Retina of Rabbit. Journal of American Science 2011;7(6):491-496). (ISSN: 1545-1003). http://www.americanscience.org .