Abstract
Aim: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a serious complication of diabetes (DM). Luo Tong formula (LTF) exerts protective effects against DR in rats, but its underlying mechanism remains unknown. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats injected with streptozotocin (STZ) were used as an experimental diabetes model. LTF or calcium dobesilate (CaD) was administered to diabetic rats via gastric gavage. After the 12 weeks of treatment, blood and tissue samples were collected to determine serum glucose and retinal structure. Blood samples were collected for blood glucose and hemorheology analysis. Gene or protein expression levels were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, western blotting and/or quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: DM rats exhibits significantly increased blood retinal-barrier (BRB) breakdown and VEGF/VEGFR expression in the retina, and decreased miR-200b and tight junction ZO-1/Occludin/ Claudin-5 genes expression, as well as Ang-1/Tie-2 expressions in the retina compared to normal control group. LTF treatment significantly moderated histological abnormalities in diabetic rats, independent of blood glucose level; improved some hemorrheological parameters; decreased the expressions of VEGF/VEGFR and BRB breakdown, significantly increased PEDF and tight junction proteins ZO-1/Occludin, as well as increased retinal miR-200b expression compared to non-treatment diabetic rats. Moreover, LTF prevented the reduction in Ang-1/Tie-2 expression. Conclusions: LTF treatment ameliorated DR through its repair vascular and attenuate vascular leakage. A mechanism involving miR-200b may contribute to benefit effects.
Highlights
The rapidly increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is becoming a major public health issue (Wang et al, 2017)
Luo Tong formula (LTF) originated from Di Dang Decoction (Synopsis Golden Chamber), we previously reported that LTF prevented Diabetic retinopathy (DR) in rats
No rat sacrificed in the normal control group, three rats were sacrificed in the diabetic control group, three in the LTF group, and two in the calcium dobesilate (CaD) group at 12 weeks
Summary
The rapidly increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is becoming a major public health issue (Wang et al, 2017). Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common and serious complications of DM, and remains the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults; DR-induced blindness has increased by 27% worldwide, and visual impairment related to DR has increased by 64% in the past 10 years (Leasher et al, 2016). Early prevention and treatment are necessary, and more and. The Effect and Mechanism of Action of Luo Tong Formula on Preventing Diabetic Retinopathy more early preventive measures have been paid attention (Valencia and Florez, 2017). Chinese herbal medicine has recently been shown to be effective for the prevention and treatment of DR (Pang et al, 2020b). Luo Tong formula (LTF) originated from Di Dang Decoction (Synopsis Golden Chamber), we previously reported that LTF prevented DR in rats.
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