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Silymarin prevents diabetes-induced hyperpermeability in human retinal endothelial cells

Marta García-Ramírez1, Mireia Turch2, Olga Simó-Servat1

  • 1Diabetes and Metabolism Research Unit. Vall d'Hebron Research Institute. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabólicas Asociadas (CIBERDEM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain.

Endocrinologia, Diabetes Y Nutricion
|February 10, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Silymarin effectively prevents increased blood-retinal barrier permeability in human retinal endothelial cells under diabetic conditions. Further research is needed to explore its potential for treating diabetic macular edema (DME).

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Cell Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Diabetic macular edema (DME) is linked to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
  • Silymarin, a flavonoid from Silybum marianum, shows potential for diabetic nephropathy but lacks study in diabetic retinopathy (DR).
  • This study investigates silymarin's effect on the inner blood-retinal barrier (BRB) disruption in DME.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess silymarin's impact on the inner blood-retinal barrier (BRB) in human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) under diabetic conditions.
  • To determine the efficacy of silymarin in preventing VEGF-induced hyperpermeability in HRECs.

Main Methods:

  • HRECs were cultured in standard (5.5mM D-glucose) and diabetic (25mM D-glucose) conditions, with or without recombinant VEGF.
  • Cell viability was tested with silymarin concentrations of 2, 4, and 10μg/mL.
  • Dextran permeability assay measured HREC disruption, with 4μg/mL silymarin selected based on viability results.

Main Results:

  • Silymarin at 4μg/mL did not affect HREC viability.
  • Silymarin significantly reduced VEGF-induced permeability in both standard and diabetic conditions.
  • The reduction in permeability was observed in both 5.5nM and 25nM D-glucose media.

Conclusions:

  • Silymarin demonstrates effectiveness in preventing diabetic-induced hyperpermeability in HRECs.
  • These findings suggest silymarin's potential therapeutic value for DME.
  • Further clinical studies are warranted to confirm silymarin's efficacy in treating DME.
Keywords:
Células endoteliales de retinaDiabetic macular edemaDiabetic retinopathyEdema macular diabéticoRetinal endothelial cellsRetinopatía diabéticaSilimarinaSilymarin

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