On the Protective Effect of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharide (LBP) on Optic Nerve Tissue and Retinal Ganglion Cells

Abstract

Background: The present paper established a model of optic neuritis injury by intrathecal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the optic nerve, then explored the protective effect of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharide (LBP) on optic nerve tissue and RGCs after injury. Material and methods: LPS was microinjected into the optic nerve of SD rats to induce optic neuritis. The histopathological variations of HE staining were observed in each group. The expressions of ED1/CD68 and GFAP were determined by immunofluorescence. The optic nerve repairment was evaluated by lux solid blue staining. TUNEL detects retinal cell apoptosis. Western blot was used to detect differences in expressions of related proteins. Results: LBP can alleviate the degree of optic nerve damage in rats with optic neuritis injury, inhibit the increase of LPS-induced macrophages and astrocytes in the optic nerve and retina, mitigate LPS-induced retinal RGC damage, inhibit LPS-induced expressions of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, COX2 and iNOS in the optic nerve injury model of optic neuritis in rats, as well as inhibit the activation of STAT1, STAT3 and NF-κB pathways. Conclusion: LBP can ameliorate optic nerve damage, and the mechanism may be realized through inhibiting NF- B and STAT signaling pathways.