[Protective effect of Qihuang Mingmu capsule on retina of diabetic mice and its impact on VEGF expression].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the protective effect of Qihuang Mingmu capsule (QHMM) on retina of diabetic mice and its impact on VEGF expression.


METHODS
Forty KK/Upj-Ay mice were randomly divided into the model group and high, middle and low dose QHMM (8.32, 4.16, 2.08 g x kg(-1)) groups. Additional 10 C57BL/6 mice were selected as the control group. Mice were orally administered for three months. Their general appearance, fasting blood-glucose (FBG) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were observed. Pathological changes of retina were observed by light microscope and electron microscope. The expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), growth factor receptors-1 (Flt-1) and growth factor receptors-2 (Flk-1) were examined by Real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blot.


RESULTS
QHMM could ameliorate the symptoms of diabetic mice to varying degrees, decrease FBG and HbA1c, alleviate pathological lesions of retina and decrease the expressions of VEGF, Flt-1, Flk-1 mRNA and protein.


CONCLUSIONS
QHMM has the protective effect on diabetic retinopathy of mice by inhibiting the expressions of VEGF, Flt-1 and Flk-1 and intervening VEGF-VEGFR signal transduction pathway.
Hebei Yiling Medicine Institute, Shijiazhuang 050035, China.
Hong-Tao
HT
Wang
Chao
C
Wang
Hui-Ming
HM
Zhu
Gang
G
Wei
Shao-Hua
SH
Zhao
Xiao-Lin
XL
Qi
Hui-Xin
HX
Zhang
D000818:Animals; D002214:Capsules / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D002214:Capsules; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D020011:Protective Agents; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A