Objective:To evaluate the effect of
mecobalamin in protecting the optic nerve from injury in experimental animals.Methods:The
rat optic nerve was crushed,then rats were randomly divided into 7 groups:the one-month control group and two-month control group did not receive therapy. The Vit B 12-treated group and
mecobalamin-treated group were treated with 10 μg Vit B 12 and mecobalamin,respectively. These groups received intramuscular injections every two days for one month. The mecobalamin double dose group,the mecobalamin treated for two months group and the mecobalamin double dose treated for two months group received mecobalamin treatments accordingly. The morphological changes in the retinal ganglion cells(RGCs) and
optic nerve axons were observed and quantified in the specimens.Results:The axons and RGCs in the Vit B 12-treated group were almost the same in comparison to the injury group,while the mecobalamin-treated group has fewer abnormal changes. Results of the quanitification of the axons and RGCs were:354.67±44.72,44.00±8.12,P=0.232,0.170 for the Vit B 12-treated group and 452.17±83.58,58.00±6.38,P=0.010,0.003 for the mecobalamin-treated group. Compared to Vit B 12,mecobalamin had better results(P=0.035,0.037,respectively). The mecobalamin double dose group,the mecobalamin treated for two months group and the mecobalamin double dose treated for two months group had higher numbers than the mecobalamin-treated group.Conclusion:Mecobalamin may have a neuroprotective effect on rat optic nerve injury from crushing and prevents RGCs and axons from degenerating.<