Abstract:【Objective】To explore the mechanism of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in diabetic rats. 【Methods】 Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, with 6 rats in each group. Normal control group (the NC group): Rats were not treated; Diabetic model group (the DM group): Rats were injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin (STZ) to establish a DM model; Experimental control group [the DM + adeno-associated virus (AAV) group]: After successfully established DM modeling, AAV + green fluorescent protein (GFP) was injected into the vitreous cavity; Experimental intervention group (the DM + AAV-NGF group): After DM modeling successfully established, AAV + NGF was injected into the vitreous cavity. The b-wave amplitude of each group was measured by electroretinogram (ERG), and the fluorescence staining of retinal tissue sections was observed. The expression levels of NGF, TrkA, P75, AKT, PI3K, Bax, and Caspase3 proteins and mRNAs in each group were detected and compared. 【Results】 The b-wave amplitude in the DM group was lower than that in the NC group, and the b-wave amplitude in the DM + AAV-NGF group was higher than that in the DM group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the expression levels of NGF, TrkA, P75, AKT, Bax, and Caspase3 proteins and mRNAs among the groups (P<0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences in the expression levels of PI3K protein and mRNA among the groups (P>0.05). 【Conclusion】 Intravitreal injection of AAV + NGF can inhibit the apoptosis of RGCs in early diabetic rats and improve the retinal function of diabetic rats. The possible mechanism is that it activates the TrkA/P75 receptor, thereby activating the PI3K/Akt pathway and down-regulating the expression levels of Bax and Caspase3.
李东慧, 杨卓, 王启常. 神经生长因子在糖尿病大鼠视网膜神经节细胞凋亡中的作用机制[J]. 医学临床研究, 2025, 42(11): 1849-1852.
LI Donghui, YANG Zhuo, WANG Qichang. Mechanism of Nerve Growth Factor in Retinal Ganglion Cell Apoptosis in Diabetic Rats. JOURNAL OF CLINICAL RESEARCH, 2025, 42(11): 1849-1852.
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