AIM: To observe the effect of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)of bushenhuoxue on primary visual cortex(PVC)brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)in rat model of chronic elevated intraocular pressure(EIOP), and explore the mechanism of it initially.

METHODS: The rat model of chronic EIOP was established by unilaterally cauterizing 3 episcleral veins, then 30 rats were divided into 3 groups randomly: control group, model group, and treatment group. After given drugs or normal saline for 8 weeks, the rats were put to death. The effect of intraocular pressure(IOP), expression of BDNF and ultrastructure of neuron cell in the PVC was observed.

RESULTS: Unilaterally cauterizing episcleral veins increased IOP of the rat model obviously, there was significant difference compared with pre-operation(P<0.01). Semi-quantitative pathological analysis on PVC showed that BDNF of total area in the model group was(82438±2597.39)S/μm²,mean optical density was(1155.9±123.14), integrated optical density was(12915±673.28), compared with the control group {total area was(132370±7588.47)S/μm², mean optical density was(5365±379.65), integrated optical density was(35102±2648.5)}, there were statistical differences(all P<0.05),there was statistical difference in BDNF of total area between model group and treatment group{(108980±9126.77)S/μm², P<0.05}, significant difference in mean optical density between the model group and treatment group(3220.4±413.67, P<0.05), statistical difference in integrated optical density between the model group and treatment group(23821±3431.68, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: TCM of bushenhuoxue can repair the PVC damage in the rat model of chronic EIOP by enhancing expression of BDNF, improving ultrastructure of neuron cell.