AIM: To evaluate the protective effects of intravitreal injection of cannabinoid HU-211 for optic nerve in glaucoma rats, providing the experimental evidence in the treatment of glaucoma optic nerve injury.

METHODS: Glaucoma rats(18 eyes)were modeled by electric coagulation sclera surface vein and randomized into 3 groups, group A received intravitreal injection of 1mg/0.1mL cannabinoid HU-211 every other day respectively; group B was given intravitreal injection of 0.1mL water every other day, group C was high intraocular pressure(IOP)group, 6 eyes were randomly selected for blank control group(group D). IOP was observed every day. The rats were sacrificed after treatment 4wk, froze retina section, HE stain. The density fluctuation of retinal ganglion cell(RGC)neurons assessment the optic nerve of rat model with chronic high IOP glaucoma were measured.

RESULTS: The apoptosis and damage degree of RGC in group B was obviously higher than that in group A, with statistically significant difference(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in groups B and C(P >0.05).

CONCLUSION: Intravitreal injection of cannabinoid HU-211 shows obvious protective effect on optic nerve in glaucom rat models.