Puerarin enhances superoxide dismutase activity and inhibits RAGE and VEGF expression in retinas of STZ-induced early diabetic rats

<正>Objective:To investigate the effects of puerarin on the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD), and expressions of advanced glycation end-product(AGE) receptor(RAGE) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in retinas of streptozotocin(STZ)-induced early diabetic rats. Methods:Diabetic rat models were established by inducing diabetes via intra-peritoneal injection of STZ.Rats were randomly divided into normal(control),diabetic(DM),and DM+ puerarin groups.After intra-gastric administration of puerarin(500 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks),levels of SOD and malondialdehyde(MDA) were determined in serum and retina.mRNA and protein expression levels of RAGE and VEGF in retinas were determined by real-lime polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)(mRNA) and Western blot analysis(protein levels).Results:There was significantly lower SOD activity and significantly higher MDA in serum and retinas of the DM group compared with the two other groups(P<0.05).After treatment with puerarin,SOD activity increased and MDA content decreased in this group(P<0.05).mRNA and protein expression levels of RACE and VECF in the DM group were significantly higher than those of the other groups (P<0.05),and decreased after puerarin treatment(P<0.05).Conclusions:Puerarin is able to enhance SOD activity,and inhibit RAGE and VEGF expressions in retinas of STZ-induced early diabetic ruts.