Vitreous cavity injection with erythropoietin protects optic nerve in a rat model of diabetic retinopathy

Zhang Yong-hong; Zhang Xiao-mei; Wei Xiao-yi; Tang Liu-ping; Liu Dai-hua; Ling Yu

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2016.18.016

Abstract：BACKGROUND: Diabetes can lead to many complications. Of them, retinopathy is a common type. To explore the effect of erythropoietin in diabetic retinopathy, it is necessary to establish an animal model of similar pathologic features and high reproducibility in clinical retinal neovascularization. <br> OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of vitreous cavity injection of erythropoietin on optic nerve of rats with diabetic retinopathy. <br> METHODS: Rat models of diabetic retinopathy were established and injected with erythropoietin through vitreous space for 14 consecutive days. Results were compared between the model and normal control groups. <br> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Transmission electron microscope: compared with the model group, retinal ganglion cel nucleus presented uniform red; cel membrane was intact; endoplasmic reticulum exhibited slight swel ing. A smal number of vacuoles were found in mitochondria around the nuclei. (2) Western blot assay and RT-PCR: compared with the model group, Caspase-3 and Bax protein expression was lower in the erythropoietin group (P < 0.05). Caspase-3 protein and Bcl-2 protein expression was significantly higher in the erythropoietin group than in the model group (P < 0.05). Significant differences in nuclear factor κB and Survivn gene expression were detected between the model and erythropoietin groups (P < 0.05). (3) Results verified that vitreous cavity injection of erythropoietin had neuroprotective effect on rats with diabetic retinopathy, which may be associated with the inhibitory effect on apoptosis.