[Lithium prevents photoreceptor cell apoptosis in retinal degeneration mice].

To test the neuroprotective effect of lithium to the photoreceptor apoptosis in mouse model of retinal degeneration.It was a experimental study. FVB/NJ retinal degeneration mice were fed with lithium diet immediately after birth (P0). At day 7 (P7) and day 14 (P14), eye balls were removed and retinas were sectioned. Meanwhile blood was collected to measure the lithium concentration. H&E staining, TUNEL and immunofluorescence labeling were carried out to analysis the histology and photoreceptor cell apoptosis.TUNEL-positive cells were found in the outer nuclear layer in the control group. The thickness and count of cell layer in P14 was much lower than that in P7 in the control group. In lithium-treat group, the ONL thickness and count of cell layer was much higher than that in the control group in P14, but has no significant difference with that in P7.lithium can prevent photoreceptor cells from apoptosis in mouse model of retinal degeneration.