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Updated: Aug 23, 2026
An Assay to Detect Protection of the Retinal Vasculature from Diabetes-Related Death in Mice
Published on: January 12, 2024
[Oxidative stress in a model for experimental diabetic retinopathy: treatment with antioxidants]
Purpose:
Diabetic retinopathy is the primary cause of blindness in developed countries, and though strict glycemic control is desirable to prevent complications, this is not always achievable. Thus, adjunctive therapies are needed to help in preventing or delaying the onset of diabetic complications. We have studied the biochemical and functional changes in the retina of diabetic mice, and the ability of ebselen and lutein, two antioxidants, to reverse these effects, using as a comparison the effect of insulin therapy.
Methods:
Alloxan injection was used to achieve hyperglycemia. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in blood and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in eye homogenate were measured. Serial electroretinograms (ERG) were recorded.
Results:
MDA concentration in the blood was high in diabetic animals. GPx activity in eye homogenate decreased in the diabetic conditions. Maximal electroretinogram amplitude decreased in diabetic animals with respect to controls. Ebselen and lutein restored MDA levels, GPx activity and ERG amplitude, and had no effect on glycemia.
Conclusion:
These results call for further studies on ebselen or lutein as adequate adjunctive therapies for diabetes.
Insights
Ebselen and lutein, antioxidants, reversed biochemical and functional retinal changes in diabetic mice. These findings suggest potential as adjunctive therapies for diabetic complications.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Endocrinology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness.
- Strict glycemic control is not always achievable for diabetic patients.
- Adjunctive therapies are crucial for preventing diabetic complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate biochemical and functional retinal changes in diabetic mice.
- To evaluate the efficacy of ebselen and lutein in reversing these changes.
- To compare the effects of ebselen and lutein with insulin therapy.
Main Methods:
- Hyperglycemia induced using alloxan injection in mice.
- Measured blood malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and eye glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity.
- Recorded serial electroretinograms (ERG) to assess retinal function.
Main Results:
- Diabetic mice exhibited elevated blood MDA and decreased retinal GPx activity.
- Diabetic mice showed reduced maximal electroretinogram (ERG) amplitude.
- Ebselen and lutein normalized MDA levels, GPx activity, and ERG amplitude without affecting glycemia.
Conclusions:
- Ebselen and lutein demonstrated potential in reversing diabetic-induced retinal damage.
- Further research is warranted to explore ebselen and lutein as adjunctive therapies for diabetes.
- These antioxidants may offer a novel approach to managing diabetic retinopathy.
