Abstract: Objective To investigate the expression changes of the hydrogen sulfide synthases cystathionine γ-lyase （CSE）, cystathionine β-synthase （CBS）, and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase （3-MST）, after optic nerve crush （ONC） in rat the retina. Methods The rat model of ONC was established. Rats were divided into normal control, ONC, and sham control groups. Histopathologic changes in retina, the number of retinal ganglion cells （RGC） and retinal thickness of inner part （RTIP） were measured. The changes of CSE, CBS and 3-MST mRNA expression were detected with quantitative real-time PCR. Results The retinal histostructure was normal in normal controls and with minor changes in sham controls, respectively. Compared with sham group, significant retina damages were found in the ONC group： a time-dependent reduction of RGC number and RTIP. Expressions of CSE, CBS and 3-MST mRNA in rat retina were detected in normal control. Compared with normal controls, the expressions of CSE, CBS and 3-MST mRNA did not show any significant changes in the sham controls. Compared with sham controls, CBS mRNA expressions showed a time-dependent increase at 3 d, 7 d and 14 d after crush in the ONC group; CSE mRNA expressions increased to the peak at 3 d and then slightly reduced at 14 d after crush; 3-MST mRNA expressions showed the trend of increase at 3 d and 7 d and then enhanced remarkably at 14 d after crush. Conclusion Hydrogen sulfide synthases CSE, CBS and 3-MST expressions were up-regulated in rat retina following ONC, which may cause an increase in local endogenous hydrogen sulfide production in the retina and a compensatory protective effect.

Key words: forensic pathology, optic nerve injuries, retina, hydrogen sulfide synthase, cystathionine γ-lyase, cystathionine β-synthase, 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase, rats