Effect Of Puerarin On Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Apoptosis Induced Partly By Peroxynitrite Via Fas/Fasl Pathway

AIM: To evaluate the peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) of puerarin on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells apoptosis induced partly by peroxynitrite via Fas/FasL.METHODS: RPE cells from C57BL/6 mice eyes were cultured, Diabetes was induced in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneal injection. Puerarin was administrated to cultured RPE cells and diabetic rat. Western blotting analysis, DNA ladder, RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry were used for determining the expression of nitrotyrosine (NIT, the foot print of ONOO(-)), complement 3 (C3); apoptosis and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA as well as Fas/FasL signal transduction in RPE cells.RESULTS: Both RPE cells in ONOO(-) and puerarin group developed apoptosis and expressed NT, C3, iNOS mRNA and Fas/FasL. But latter delayed the all chances in a time-dependent manner compared with control and STZ group (P < 0.001). iNOS, C3 and Fas/FasL were up-regulated and associated with an increase of expression of ONOO(-) in vivo and in vitraCONCLUSION: Puerarin decreases RPE cells apoptosis partly induced by ONOO(-) for diabetic retinopathy.