The effect of astragalus polysaccharide on the expression of VEGF in Müller cell cultured in high level of glucose

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the molecular mechanism of diabetes mellitus retinal injury and the protective role of astragalus polysaccharide ( APS ) on it.MethodsSeparated the retinal tissue from 5 days Wistar rat using trypsinase digest methods and cultured in 1640 with 20% FBS, at 37°C in humidified air with 5% CO2. The cells were identified by glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) using immuocytochemistry methods. The second generation, GFAP positive Müller cells were divided into 4 groups: 1) control group: cultured in the normal culture medium; 2) APS group: cultured in the normal culture medium with 400ug/ml APS; 3) high glucose group: cultured in the normal culture medium with 20mmol/L glucose; 4) high glucose APS group: cultured in the normal culture medium with 400ug/ml APS and 20mmol/L glucose. Three days later, the expression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) in Müller cells were detected by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) methods respectively.ResultsThe expression of VEGF in Müller cells of high glucose APS group was significantly decreased comparing with that of high glucose group. There is no significantly difference between other groups.ConclusionAPS may prevent and treat diabetic retinopathy by reduced the expression of VEGF in Müller cells.