Abstract: 【Abstract】 Objective To investigate the protective effect of hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) on visual function of the rats undergone the optic nerve crush. Design Experimental study. Participants Healthy adult male SD rats. Methods 12 SD rats were randomly divided into the HRS group (n=6) and the control group (n=6). All the left eyes of the two groups were selected as the experimental eyes, and the right eyes served as normal controls. The optic nerve crush model was established by using a non -invasive forceps with a constant clipping pressure of 148 g to crush the exposed left optic nerves (ON) of the rats for 10 seconds at 2 mm behind the optic disc. After  crush model was completed, the rats of the HRS group were given a Hydrogen-Rich Saline treatment by intraperitoneal injection with a dose of 5 ml/kg/d for consecutive  two weeks, and the rats of the control group were given saline by intraperitoneal injection with the same dose. The F-VEP of the rats’ left eye was detected at eight time points: pre-injury, 1 day(d), 3 d, 5 d, 7 d, 9 d, 11 d, 14 d after injury. The changes of P1 wave peak time and amplitude were recorded. Main Outcome Measures The peak time and amplitude of the P1 wave. Results At the first day after injury, the peak time of the P1 wave in both groups（88.61±2.81 ms and 88.33±1.51 ms in the HRS group and the control group respectively）were significantly extended compared to the pre-injury (72.45±1.47 ms and 72.44±1.03 ms in the HRS group and the control group respectively). The difference was statistically significant (all P<0.01). On the third day after injury, the peak time of the P1 wave in the HRS group was shortened to (80.28±1.25)ms, and fluctuated at this lever until 14 days post-injury. The peak time of the P1 wave in the control group remained prolonged (88.61±1.20 ms). The difference between the two groups was statistically significant at each time point starting from the third day after injury(all P<0.001). Conclusions Hydrogen-rich saline can improve the extended peak time of the rats after optic nerve crush, and may play a protective role in the visual conductive system. (Ophthalmol CHN, 2012, 21: 409-413)

Key words: optic nerve crush, animal model, flash visual evoked potentials, hydrogen-rich saline, neuroprotective