Purpose
To investigate the protective effect ofldquo;haw drink compoundrdquo;against carbon disulfide (CS2)toxic retinal damage．
Methods
Thirty healthy white adult New Zealand rabbits were divided at random into 3 groups:the normal control group,the exposure control group and the treatment group．The experimental rabbits were contaminated by inhaling CS2 for 3 continuoues hours in 6 consecutive days in a week for totaly 3 weeks．The rabbits in the treatment group were given haw drink compound before containation．After 3 weeks of the experiment,the retinal tissues of the rabbits were examined with light microscope and transmissing electronmicroscope(TEM).
Results
The ultrastructures of the retinal tissues of the exposure control group were more abnormal than those of the treatment group and the normal control group．TEM showed that every layer cell of the retinal in the exposure control group showed apparent degenerative changes ,but that in the treatment group showed apparent degenerative changes,but that in the treatment group was nomal．The light microscpic picture showed that the inner segments and the outer segments of photoreceptors construction were destroyed,the nerve fiber layer was loose and ganglion celles vacuolated in the retinat of the exposure control group．TEM showed that The photorecepter synapses were vacuolated,the postsynaptic space became wider and the synaptic sticks disappered．
Conclusion
How drink compound can improve the tolerance to CS2 toxicity in inducing the retinal damage of rabbits.
(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 1999, 15: )
