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Proanthocyanidins Prevent High Glucose-Induced Eye Malformation by Restoring Pax6 Expression in Chick Embryo
Rui-Rong Tan1, Shi-Jie Zhang2,3, Yi-Fang Li4
1Anti-stress and Health Center, Pharmacy College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China. tanruirong@foxmail.com.
Insights
Proanthocyanidins protect against gestational diabetes-induced eye malformations in chick embryos by restoring Pax6 gene expression and reducing oxidative stress. This natural compound shows promise for preventing fetal eye developmental issues.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a significant cause of congenital malformations, particularly affecting fetal eye development.
- There is a critical need for therapeutic interventions to mitigate GDM's adverse effects on embryonic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of proanthocyanidins on eye development in a chick embryo model of GDM.
- To explore the underlying mechanisms, including oxidative stress and key gene regulation.
Main Methods:
- A GDM model was established in chick embryos using high glucose exposure.
- Proanthocyanidins were administered via air sac injection.
- Eye malformations, oxidative stress markers, glucose levels, and Pax6 gene expression were assessed.
Main Results:
- Proanthocyanidins significantly prevented high glucose-induced eye malformations and oxidative stress.
- The protective effects were comparable to edaravone.
- Proanthocyanidins restored the down-regulation of the eye development gene Pax6 caused by high glucose.
- Proanthocyanidins did not alter glucose concentration in the embryo eye.
Conclusions:
- Proanthocyanidins demonstrate a protective effect against GDM-induced eye malformations in a chick embryo model.
- The mechanism involves mitigating oxidative stress and restoring Pax6 gene expression.
- Proanthocyanidins represent a potential natural therapeutic agent for preventing GDM-related ocular developmental abnormalities.
Abstract:
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the leading causes of offspring malformations, in which eye malformation is an important disease. It has raised demand for therapy to improve fetal outcomes. In this study, we used chick embryo to establish a GDM model to study the protective effects of proanthocyanidins on eye development. Chick embryos were exposed to high glucose (0.2 mmol/egg) on embryo development day (EDD) 1. Proanthocyanidins (1 and 10 nmol/egg) were injected into the air sac on EDD 0. Results showed that both dosages of proanthocyanidins could prevent the eye malformation and rescue the high glucose-induced oxidative stress significantly, which the similar effects were showed in edaravone. However, proanthocyanidins could not decrease the glucose concentration of embryo eye. Moreover, the key genes regulating eye development, Pax6, was down-regulated by high glucose. Proanthocyanidins could restore the suppressed expression of Pax6. These results indicated proanthocyanidins might be a promising natural agent to prevent high glucose-induced eye malformation by restoring Pax6 expression.
