Expression of apoptosis- related genes Bcl- 2 and Bax in the retinas of early diabetic rats
Abstract：AIM: To study the expression of apoptosis- related genes (Bcl- 2 and Bax) in the retinas of early diabetic rats, and investigate the roles these genes play in retinal cell apoptosis in diabetic retinopathy. METHODS:Forty healthy adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control groups and diabetes mellitus groups for 1 (DM1), 3 (DM3) and 6 months (DM6). Diabetic models were induced by peritoneal injection with streptozotocin, and the paraffin- embedded retinal sections were stained by immunohistochemical method (ABC) and analyzed by computer- picture image analysis system. RESULTS: In the control and each DM group, both Bcl- 2 and Bax proteins were detected in the retinal vessels. With the progression of diabetes, the intensity of positive reaction increased. Moreover, Bcl- 2- positive reaction was observed in the pigment epithelial cells in DM3 group, and extended further to the inner rod segments and ganglion cells in DM6 group. Bax was expressed mainly in the ganglion cells in DM6 group. CONCLUSION: The expression of Bcl- 2 and Bax in the retinal capillary cells and nerve cells gradually increase in diabetic rats with the progression of diabetes. Bcl- 2 and Bax play an important role in the retinal cell apoptosis of early diabetic retinopathy.
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Publication Date：2003-01-01
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：3( 3296-3297 )