The effect of neferine on retinal tissue in experimental diabetic rat model

Diabetic retinopathy is a complications of diabetes mellitus and oxidative stress, apoptosis, uncontrolled vascular proliferation causes this condition. Aims of our study are to investigate the levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) immunoreactivities, apoptosis, oxidative stress levels in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes and the effect of Neferine. In this study, 8-10 weeks-old Sprague Dawley male rats used (n=35). Diabetes induced with single-dose 60mg/kg STZ intraperitoneal (IP) injection in diabetes groups. The control group got no treatment. Diabetes-Sham group received 0.25ml/kg 0.9% saline via IP injection daily. Neferine-treatment group received 4mg/kg Neferine via IP injection daily. Diabetes+Bevacizumab group received single dose 2.5mg/kg Bevacizumab and daily 0.25ml / kg 0.9% normal saline via IP injection. Diabetes+Neferine group received 4mg/kg Neferine via IP injection daily. Diabetes+Neferine group have shown significant increase in Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) and a significant decrease in Total Oxidant Status (TOS) in serum and eye tissue homogenate with ELISA. VEGF levels and number of apoptotic cells significant decrease compared to diabetes group (p<0.05) and There was no significant change in PCNA levels with immunohistochemistry staining. In our study, we observed that diabetes reduced TAS levels; increased TOS levels, number of apoptotic cells, and VEGF, and PCNA immunoreactivity in retinal tissue. It was also observed that Neferine changed these parameters in the opposite direction except PCNA. Based on our study, we concluded that Neferine could reduce the effect of diabetes. Key Words: Diabetic retinopathy, Rat, Neferine, PCNA, VEGF.