The flavonoid, rutin, ameliorates neurodegeneration in the retina of diabetic rats (CAM1P.164)

Abstract

Abstract Diabetic retinopathy remains the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Dietary flavonoid, rutin may protect the diabetes induced retinal damage. The purpose of this study was to examine the ameliorative effect of rutin on diabetic rat retina through neurotrophic, inflammatory and immunological parameters. Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by streptozotocin (65mg/kg). Rutin (100mg/kg) was orally administered to normal and diabetic rats after two weeks of diabetes induction and continued for five weeks. After treatments, retinas were isolated and analyzed for potential neuroinflammatory and immunological markers. Our results indicate that the reduced level of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in the diabetic retina were significantly improved by rutin. Increased levels of soluble intracellular adhesion molecule (sICAM-1) and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP-1) in the diabetic retinas were significantly attenuated to normal level by rutin. Reduced level of GSH in diabetic retina was increased and the increased level of TBARS in the diabetic retina was significantly decreased by rutin administration. The increased level of caspase-3, and decreased level of Bcl-2 in diabetic retina were significantly ameliorated to normal levels by rutin. These results suggest the effectiveness of rutin in protection of diabetic induced damage to the retina by maintaining neurotrophic support, and antioxidants levels.