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Estrogen prevents high-glucose-induced damage of retinal ganglion cells via mitochondrial pathway

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Abstract

Background

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of acquired blindness in adults. Previous research has shown that the apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells(RGCs) plays an important role in the initiation and development of diabetic retinopathy. The positive effect of estrogen on the nervous system is currently attracting increasing attention. In this study, we investigated whether17β-estradiolum (E2) has protective effects on RGCs in a high-glucose environment.

Methods

The cell survival rates were measured by Cell Counting Kit-8, the apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were examined by immunofluorescence method, and the intracellular mitochondrial membrane potential was examined by confocal microscopy. The expression levels of cytochrome C, Bcl-2, and Bax were analyzed by Western blot method. The effect of estrogen receptor blocker tamoxifen on the RGCs was also evaluated.

Results

It was found that E2 stabilizes the mitochondrial membrane potential, reduces intracellular ROS levels, up-regulates Bcl-2 expression, inhibits Bax expression, decreases the generation of cytochrome C, and finally reduces the apoptosis of RGC-5 cells in a high-glucose environment. These protective functions could be attributed to E2 receptors, which make E2 a prospective patent application candidate in the treatment of DR. Furthermore, when cells were pre-cultured with tamoxifen, we found that tamoxifen inhibited the shielding effects of E2.

Conclusion

E2 has a broad application prospect in the treatment of DR.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery (Harbin Medical University) Ministry of Education. This work was supported by The National Science Foundation for Post-doctoral Scientists of China (Grant No: 20090451019).

Conflict of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Endocrinology, The First Clinical Hospital of Harbin Medical University, No. 23 Youzheng Street, NanGang District, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China

    Ming Hao, Yue Li, Wenjian Lin, Qian Xu, Ning Shao, Yixin Zhang & Hongyu Kuang

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  1. Ming Hao
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  2. Yue Li
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  3. Wenjian Lin
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  4. Qian Xu
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  5. Ning Shao
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  6. Yixin Zhang
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  7. Hongyu Kuang
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hongyu Kuang.

Additional information

Ming Hao and Yue Li contributed equally to this work

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Hao, M., Li, Y., Lin, W. et al. Estrogen prevents high-glucose-induced damage of retinal ganglion cells via mitochondrial pathway. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 253, 83–90 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-014-2771-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-014-2771-7

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