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Analysis of the protective mechanism of liraglutide on retinopathy based on diabetic mouse model
Lingling Wu1, Lijuan Gao2, Yaohui Cao1
1Department of Gynaecology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Xingtai Medical College, Xingtai City 054000, China.
Abstract:
In order to study the protection mechanism of liraglutide on the infectious lesion of the retina of type I diabetes, in this experiment, a mouse model of type I diabetes was established by induction with streptozotocin (STZ) and feeding with high-fat and high-sugar diet. After observing the living conditions of the modeled mice and detecting their fasting blood glucose (FBG), it was found that the modeled mice exhibited clinically similar symptoms in patients with type I diabetes, and their FBG was larger than 16.7 mmol/L, indicating that the experimental mouse model was obtained. The mice were divided into groups. The control group was divided into negative control group (A), light positive control group (B), diabetic control group (C), and diabetes care group (D) according to different treatment methods, and the experimental group was divided into treatment group 1 (LR1), treatment group 2 (LR2) and treatment group 3 (LR3) according to different injection doses. The eyes of mice in each group were extracted and retinal tissue sections were made, and the sections were stained with HE. The retinal morphology was observed and it was found that compared with group A, the outer nucleus layer was significantly thinner in group B and C, and the group D was the thinnest. After treatment with liraglutide, the outer nuclear layer of LR1 group and LR2 group LR3 group recovered significantly, indicating that liraglutide had protective effect on type I diabetes and light-induced damage of mouse retinal photoreceptor cells. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect p-Erk1/2 and ASK1 protein contents in retina. It was found that compared with the negative control group and the light control group, p-Erk1/2 protein contents in LR1, LR2 and LR3 groups were significantly increased, showing statistical significance. Compared with the negative control group and the light control group, ASK1 protein content in LR1, LR2 and LR3 groups significantly decreased. This suggested that the protective mechanism of liraglutide on retinopathy was related to up-regulation of antioxidant protein p-Erk1/2 and down-regulation of apoptosis-related protein ASK1, that is to say, the action site of liraglutide may be related to this. Through real-time quantitative detection of the Trx gene expression level in diabetic and photodamaged mice, it was found that compared with the diabetic light group, the Trx expression level in mice treated with liraglutide showed a significant up-regulated trend, suggesting that the protective mechanism of liraglutide on retinopathy was related to the up-regulated expression of antioxidant protein Trx. Therefore, liraglutide has a certain protective effect on diabetic retinal injury, and its mechanism is related to the up-regulation of p-Erk1/2 and Trx antioxidant protein, and the down-regulation of apoptosis-related protein ASK1.
Insights
Liraglutide protects against diabetic retinal injury by up-regulating antioxidant proteins p-Erk1/2 and Trx, while down-regulating apoptosis-related protein ASK1. This study highlights liraglutide
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Type 1 diabetes (T1D) poses significant risks for retinal complications, including diabetic retinopathy.
- Diabetic retinopathy involves damage to retinal photoreceptor cells and is exacerbated by factors like light exposure.
- Understanding the protective mechanisms of therapeutic agents is crucial for managing T1D-related eye diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of liraglutide on retinal injury in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying liraglutide's protective action against diabetic retinopathy.
Main Methods:
- Established a type 1 diabetes mouse model using streptozotocin and a high-fat, high-sugar diet.
- Administered varying doses of liraglutide to different treatment groups.
- Assessed retinal morphology using HE staining and quantified protein expression (p-Erk1/2, ASK1) and gene expression (Trx) via immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR.
Main Results:
- Liraglutide treatment significantly improved retinal morphology, particularly the outer nuclear layer, in diabetic mice.
- Liraglutide significantly increased the expression of antioxidant protein p-Erk1/2 and Trx.
- Liraglutide significantly decreased the expression of apoptosis-related protein ASK1.
Conclusions:
- Liraglutide demonstrates a protective effect against diabetic retinal injury in mice.
- The mechanism involves up-regulation of antioxidant pathways (p-Erk1/2, Trx) and down-regulation of apoptotic pathways (ASK1).
- Liraglutide holds potential as a therapeutic agent for managing diabetic retinopathy.

