Pterostilbene impact on retinal endothelial cells under high glucose environment

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) has complicated pathogenic factors. Studies showed that DR belongs to chronic inflammatory disease, and retinal endothelial cells oxidation by free radicals is one of its mechanisms. Pterostilbene, as the homologous derivative of resveratrol, has obvious antioxidant effect. Its influence on the DR has not been studied. This study intended to investigate the effect and mechanism of pterostilbene on human retinal endothelial cells (hRECs) under high glucose environment to illustrate pterostilbene impact on DR and provide basis for DR clinical treatment. hRECs cultured in high glucose environment were treated by 1.0 mmol/L pterostilbene. MTT assay was applied to test cell proliferation. ELISA was used to detect inflammatory factor TNF-α and IL-1β content. Real time PCR and Western blot were performed to examine NF-κB mRNA and protein expression. ROS and SOD activities were analyzed. Under high glucose environment, hRECs proliferation increased, TNF-α and IL-1β expression elevated, and NF-κB protein level upregulated significantly. On the other side, ROS production increased and SOD activity decreased obviously (P < 0.05). Pterostilbene can suppress hRECs over proliferation, decrease TNF-α and IL-1β, inhibit NF-κB protein expression, reduce ROS production, and increase SOD activity markedly compared with high glucose group (P < 0.05). Pterostilbene may delay DR progress through alleviating inflammation and antioxidation to suppress hRECs over proliferation.