Objective To observe the effect of intravitreal injection of mouse nerve growth factor (NGF) on interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) in the vitreous of diabetic rats at early stages. Methods Ninety-six male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into control group (group A, 24 rats) and experimental group (72 rats). The rats in experimental group were induced with streptozotocin injection for diabetic retinopathy model, and then randomly divided into positive control group (group B), normal saline group (group C) and NGF group (group D), 24 rats in each group. The rats in the group A and B were not intervened. The rats were received intravitreal injection with 4mu;l normal saline (group C) or 4 mu;l (0.5 mu;g/mu;l) NGF (group D). At 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after injection, IRBP levels were detected by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and light microscope were used to observe the morphological changes of the retina; transmission electron microscope was used to observe the retinal ultrastructure.Results At 2 weeks after injection, there was no significant difference in IRBP expression between group A,B,C and D (F=2.833，P=0.052). At 4, 6, 8 weeks after injection, the differences of IRBP expression between group A, B, C and D were significant (F=22.252, 108.459, 105.726; P=0.000). At different time points after injection, there was no significant difference in IRBP expression of group A (F=1.462, P=0.241), but there were significant differences in IRBP expression of group B, C and D (F=150.98, 63.519, 64.604; P=0.000). Light microscope found that the retinal structure was clear in group A and in group B, C, D at 2, 4 weeks after injection; the retinal thickness were thinner in group B, C, D at 8 weeks after injection. Transmission electron microscope displayed that the structure of rod outer segments was clear in group A and in group B, C, D at 2 weeks after injection; partly unclear structure of rod outer segments and slightly enlarged gap were observed in group B, C, D at 4, 8 weeks after injection. Conclusion Intravitreal injection with NGF can stabilize the IRBP expression in the vitreous of diabetic rats at early stages effectively.
Objective To observe the retinal toxicity of repeated intravitreal injection with bevacizumab (Avastin) in diabetic rats. Methods Forty male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into normal group (Group A, 10 rats) and diabetes mellitus group (30 rats). The rats in diabetes mellitus group were induced with streptozotocin injection for diabetic retinopathy model. And then randomly divided into diabetic retinopathy (DR) group (Group B,10 rats), the rats were not intervened; the left eyes of the other 20 rats were intravitreal injected with bevacizumab 3 mu;l (25 mg/ml) for 3 times as experimental group (Group C) ; the right eyes of the 20 rats were not intervened as experimental control group (Group D). 20 days after last intravitreal injection, retinal function was measured by Flicker Electroretinogram (F-ERG);retinal vascular pattern was determined by fluorescence microscopy of ethidium bromide (EB) stained retinal flat mounts; retinal morphological changes were determined by light microscope on hematoxylin-eosin (HE) stained sections;Thy-1 and VEGF expression was measured by immunohistochemistry staining. Results F-ERG showed that, the differences of a-and b-waves, the b-wave amplitude and the Ops-wave amplitude in the implicit time between group A, B, C and D were significant (F=33.165, 36.162,19.955, 23.243; P＝0.000); the differences of a-wave amplitude between group A,B,C and D was not significant (F=0.097,P＝0.961). Retinal blood vessel pattern was normal in Group A; retinal vascular vessels were tortuous and irregularly expanded in Group B; retinal vascular vessels of Group C were regular and thinner than Group A; microaneurysm were showed in Group D. Light microscope displayed that the layers of the rat retina of Group A were regular, the retinal architectures of Group B were irregular, the retinal layers were regular in Group C, the retinal layers were irregular in Group D. Immunohistochemistry staining discovered that Thy-1 and VEGF were mainly expressed in ganglion cell layer（GCL）. Conclusion Repeated intravitreal injection of bevacizumab is toxic to retina of diabetes mellitus rats.
Objective To observe the effect of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF）on glutamate metabolism in diabetic rat retina. Methods 78 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the model group, model control group, PEDF intervention group and intervention control group. There were some dead and euglycemia rats at the end of experiment, so only 12 rats in each group were included in the statistical analysis. The diabetic retinopathy rat model of the model, PEDF intervention and intervention control group were induced with streptozotocin injection. The rats in the model group were not intervened. The monthly-age matched normal rats of model group were in the model control group. The left eyes of rats were received intravitreal injection with 5 mu;l (0.1 mu;g/mu;l) PEDF (PEDF intervention group) or 5 mu;l phosphate buffer solution (intervention control group). The expressions of L-glutamate/L-aspartate transporter in retina were analyzed by western blot and real time RT-PCR techniques and glutamate content in retina was analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Cultured rat Muuml;ller cells were divided into the control,experimental, PEDF intervention and intervention control group, GLAST expressions were detected by fluorescence immunofluorescence and real-time RT-PCR techniques. The glutamate up-take activity of Muuml;ller cells was determined by intracellular [3H] labeled D, L-glutamate concentration with scintillation counting. Results Western blot and real-time RT-PCR showed that GLAST expression decreased (real-time RT-PCR：t=8.86,Plt;0.01；Western blot：t=3.42,P＜0.05), glutamate content increased（t=4.01,P＜0.05）in model group compared with the model control group; GLAST expression increased (real-time RT-PCR：t=3.56,P＜0.05；Western blot：t=3.52,P＜0.05), glutamate content decreased（t=4.36,P＜0.05）in the PEDF intervention group compared with the intervention control group. Real-time RT-PCR and fluorescence immunofluorescence showed that high glucose down-regulate GLAST expressions in Muuml;ller cells (rea-time RT-PCR：t=3.48,P＜0.05；fluorescence immunofluorescence：t=4.72,P＜0.05 ) and impair glutamate uptake activity of Muuml;ller cells (t=3.81, Plt;0.05). Under high glucose conditions, PEDF up-regulated GLAST expression significantly (real-time RT-PCR：t=6.82,P＜0.01；fluorescence immunofluorescence：t=3.72,P＜0.05) and ameliorated the glutamate up-take activity of Muuml;ller cells（t=4.14, Plt;0.05). Conclusions In diabetic rats, PEDF may improve the activity of GLAST in Muuml;ller cells, thus ameliorate retinal glutamate metabolism and inhibit death of retinal ganglion cells.
Objective To quantitatively assess the damage of blood-retinal barrier (BRB) in rats with diabetic retinopathy using dynamic contrast enhanced-magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). Methods Forty 3-week-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into experiment and control group. The rats in experiment group underwent intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The rats with blood glucose over 16.65 mmol/L and ldquo;+++rdquo; of urine glucose were considered as diabetes and were further divided into four subgroups according to the course of diabetes mellitus (2, 4, 6, and 8 months).The rats in control group underwent intraperitoneal injection with the same volume of buffer and were divided into four subgroups (with 5 rats in each subgroup) according to the coordinate age of rats in experimental group.All of the eyeballs were scanned by DCE MRI and enucleation was performed after intraperitoneal injection with pentobarbitone.The data were analyzed by SPSS 12.0 statistical software.Results All the rats in experiment group became diabetic models. There was no obvious BRB permeability in control group and in 2- and 4-months experiment group.The average BRB permeability rate in 6 and 8 month experiment groups were (0.1399plusmn;0.0065) and (0.1816plusmn;0.2756) mm3/min respectively (Z=-2.121, Plt;0.05). Retinal edema and cellular disorganization appeared at 4 months and became more severe when diabetes course extended.Conclusions DCE MRI can measure the BRB permeability rate accurately and assess the extent of BRB damage quantitatively in rats with diabetic retinopathy.
Objective To observe the relationship between retinal microglial activations and ganglion cell (RGC) damages in early-stage diabetic rats. Methods A total of 20 SpragueDawley（SD）rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (each with 5 rats): 1 month control group, 1 month diabetes group, 3 month control group, 3 month diabetes group. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). The RGCs of all rats were retrograde labeled by carbocyanine dye DiI injected at the superior colliculi.Microglial cells and RGCs in retinal flat-mounts and sections were stained immunohistochemically and recorded under confocal microscope.Results The diabetic microglial cells were amoeboid and ovoid with fewer processes on retinal flat mounts. The density of microglial cells which phagocytosed DiI particles in the RGC layer significantly increased in the 3month diabetes group（P＜0.01）. The density of microglial cells in the RGC layer significantly increased in the 1- and 3- month diabetes group（P＜0.05）. However there were more microglial cells in the RGC layer in the 3- month diabetes group than the 1-month diabetes group（P＜0.0001）. Significant correlation was found between the amount of microglial cells and that of RGCs in the early-stage of diabetes. Conclusions Microglial cell activation has close relationship with the RGC damages in early-stage diabetic rats.
Objective To analyze the expression of apoptosis-related genes of retinal blood vessel in early diabetic rats by gene chip technology. Methods To make diabetic rat model by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). On the 6th week after blood pressure increased, 10 rats were executed in Diabetic group and normal control group respectively. 20 retinal blood vessels were extracted and the RNA was isolated. The probe was made of alpha;-32 P-deoxyadenosine triphosphate (dATP)-labeled sample which hybridized 1176 nylon chips, and then analyzed by software. Three different expression genes were selected to verify by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results On the 6th week, 136 （11.5％） genes were differentially expressed ［up-regulated genes were 90(7.6%), down-regulated genes were 46(3.9%)］in diabetic group. These genes involved into different groups according to their function. Especially in 72 apoptosis-related genes, 15 genes were differentially expressed. The up-regulated genes were some TNF receptor family members such as TNFRSF12, TRAIL, TNFRSF9, FADD；Bcl-2 family members such as bcl-w, bax, bak1 and AKT. The down-regulated genes were FAF1 which related to fas. Conclusions The expression of retinal vascular gene in early diabetic rats has been changed complicatedly. In particular, the multiple apoptosis-related genes have been changed in early diabetic, and most of them are at the upstream of apoptosis pathway. These findings indicate that the development of diabetic retinopathy is associated with multiple signaling pathways leading to apoptosis, while the alterations on the level of molecular biochemistry are still limited in apoptosis induction period. （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2008，24：244-248）
Objective To observe the effect of Fufang XueShuanTong (FXST) on prevention for retinal microangiopathy of diabetic rats. Methods Take the normal male Wistar rats as normal control group; take the streptozotocin (STZ) Wistar rats as diabetic model group. And then the diabetic model group was divided into two groups: diabetic control group (without other treatment) and FXST treatment group (with FXST at dose 900 mg/kg, by the way of given medicine from esophagus to stomach, 1 time/day, experimental period was 20 weeks). When all the animals had been raised for 20 weeks, not only retinal digesting preparations were used, the endothelium/pericyte ratio (E/P ratio) and micro-vascular changes were observed by microscope, vascular relative area were measured by image system，but also the thickness of capillary basement membrane, the ultrastructural changes of endothelium and pericyte were observed by transmission electron microscope. Results On the 20th week, retinal digesting preparations showed that acellular capillaries, irregular vessel nets, segmental expansion, segmental stricture even occlusion, pericyte number decreased obviously, E/P ratio increased, vascular relative area increased and ghosts of pericytes etc in diabetic control group. Compared to diabetic control group, the retinal changes of FXST treatment group was lighter, the E/P ratio and vascular relative area were closer to normal control group. Transmission electron microscopy results showed that thickness of basement membrane was increased in DM group, vascular changes was light in FXST treated group. Conclusions FXST can prevent the changes of micrangium in diabetic rats effectively. （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2008，24：272-275）
Objective To observe the influence of the expression of CD18 on the neutrophile and the leukocyte adhesion to retinal vascular endothelium by hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1alpha;) in early diabetic retinopathy rats. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats received intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin to induce diabetes model. 18 diabetic rats were divided into 3 groups randomly after 2 months of diabetes induction, including diabetic group (group B), HIF-1alpha; anti-sense oligonucleotides (ASODN) injection group (group C) and HIF-1alpha; sense oligonucleotides (SODN) injection group (group D), the age and weigh matched health rats were chosen as control group (group A), with 6 rats in each group. Then group A and B rats received 5% glucose solution caudalis veins injection, group C and group D rats received HIF-1alpha; ASODN and HIF-1alpha; SODN caudalis veins injection, respectively(025 mg/kg).The level of CD18 on the neutrophil isolated from the peripheral blood was measured by flow cytometry. Retinal leukostasis was quantified with acridine orange leukocyte fluorography. Results The percentage of CD18 positive neutrophil cell was（44.93plusmn;3.60）% in group B，（18.66plusmn;1.52）% in group A，（31.66plusmn;4.72）% in group C，（51.00plusmn;5.66）% in group D. Compared with each other groups，the differences are statistically significant （F=42.46, Plt;0.001）. The number of positive staining cells of retinal leukocyte was （46.16plusmn;10.68）in group A，（133.83plusmn;20.43）in group B,（99.83plusmn;9.28）in group C，（121.33plusmn;10.23） in group C. Compared group B with group C，the number of positive staining cells raised about 2.89 times；compared group B with group C and D，the differences are statistically significant （P=0.12，95% confidence interval -3.69~28.69）. Conclusions In vivo, HIF-1alpha; can decreased the expression of CD18 on neutrophils from diabetic ratsprime; peripheral blood and the collection of retinal leukostasis in the diabetic animals. HIF-1alpha; may serve as a therapeutic target for the treatment and/or prevention of early diabetic retinopathy. （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2008，24：268-271）
Objective To observe the influence of rAAV-mediated antisense vascular endothelial growth factor (rAAV-aVEGF165) on the expression of retinal VEGF in diabetic rats. Methods 40 Sprague-Dawley rats induced diabetic rat model by intraperitoneal injection with streptozotocin (STZ). 32 rats were involved in study besides death and blood sugar recovery in experimental process, 16 spragud-Dawleg (SD) rats were received intravitreal injection with rAAV-aVEGF165 (1010 pfu) as experimental group, another group of Sprague-Dawleg (SD) rats were injected with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) as control group. One and five month after model establishment, the expression of retinal VEGF was evaluate by immunhistochemistry and Western blot; the retinal vasular was examined by transmission electron microscopy. Results On 1 month,the expression of retinal VEGF was lowest in each group. On 5 month, the expression of retinal VEGF was decreased in experimental group which compared to control, the difference are statistically significant （t=23.87,Plt;0.01）. The transmission electron microscopy results showed that retina has no obvious chages in experimental group, however,contral group showed fragmental thickening and splitting of basement membrane, swelling and deformation of endothelia cells,fingerlike prcess into the capillary cavity,and uneven distibution of heterochromatin in pericytes. Conclusion rAAV-aVEGF165 can reduce the expression of retinal VEGF thereby preventing occurrence and development of diabetic retinopathy. rAAV is an effective vectors of eye antisense gene. （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2008，24：255-258）
Objective To observe the expression of the pigment epithelium derived growth factor (PEDF) in retina and the effects of PEDF for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and retinal microvascular after recombinant adeno-associated virus mediated pigment epithelium derived factor（rAAV-mediated-PEDF）transferred retina of diabetic rats. Methods Male Wister rats were induced diabetes with intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin, then divided into 1 month group (DM1), 3month group(DM3) and 6 month group randomly. In diabetic rats, right eyes were injected rAAV2CMVhPEDF into vitreum as treat group,left eyes were injected into rAAV2-CMV-GFP (1times;1011 v.g/ml) as self-control group. In normal rats, right eyes were punctured but not injected (CONf), left eyes let it be without any disposal. The levels of VEGFmRNA and hPEDFmRNA in retina were evaluated using RT-PCR in different period. The protein levels of VEGF, PEDF within the retina were determined using western blot. The change of retinal capillary were observed through retinal vascular flattening. Result The expression of hPEDFmRNA in retina was enhanced persistence after rAAV2-CMV-hPEDF injected, achieved climax until 6 months. The levels of PEDF were also incerased consecutive, the differences were statistically significant in treatment group compared with own control group （Plt;0.01）. Levels of mRNA and protein of VEGF at different time-points among therapy group were not statistically significant, all obviously higher than normal （Plt;0.05），but all lower obviously than respectively own control group at the same timepoint （Plt;0.01）. The morphology of retinal capillary was not different significant with normal rats in 1 month diabetic rats. Morphology changes of therapy groups were less than those of respective own control group in DM3 and DM6. Conclusion Intravitreous injection rAAV2-CMV-hPEDF can increase expression of mRNA and protein of PEDF，alleviate lesion of retinal microvascular in early period of diabetic rats and supress expression of VEGF in retina of diabetic rats.The regulation occur on mRNA level. （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2008，24：259-264）