The effect of Hirudo therapy on a change in the activity of retinal transport adenosinetriphosphatases in the rabbit with photic eye damage

: Effect of Hirudo therapy on the activities of transport adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases) of the retina and pigmented epithelium (PE) is studied in normal and albino rabbits whose eyes were exposed to potent illumination (100,000 Lux at the level of the cornea for 90 min). The exposure decreased the activities of ATPase, which did not recover in any of animal groups. Hirudo therapy immediately after illumination increased the enzymes activity in pigmented animals in comparison with intact control: by 20% in the retina and by 23% in PE; Mg-ATPase activity increased by 23% in the retina and decreased by 10% in PE. In subsequent 24 h, ATPase activities decreased, but in comparison with exposed retina the activity of Na,K-ATPase in the retina was 70% increased and in PE 78% increased; the activities of Mg-ATPase were increased by 33 and 8%, respectively. Complete recovery of ATPase activities was attained in 8 days. In albino animals, ATPase activities did not recover completely, but they were notably higher than in intact controls. Hirudo therapy before illumination had a marked protective effect.