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Therapeutic of Candesartan and Music Therapy in Diabetic Retinopathy with Depression in Rats
Chengping Luo1, Huimin Fan2, Shaojun Li2
1Music College of Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China.
Insights
Candesartan combined with music therapy shows additive therapeutic effects for diabetic retinopathy with depression in rats. This combination improved retinal cell apoptosis and neurotransmitter levels, offering a potential treatment for this complex condition.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Diabetic retinopathy (DR) often co-occurs with depression, complicating patient management.
- Existing treatments for DR and depression are often insufficient, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches.
- The molecular mechanisms linking diabetes, retinopathy, and depression require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined therapeutic effects of candesartan and music therapy on diabetic retinopathy with depression.
- To explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of this combined therapy in an animal model.
- To assess the impact on retinal cell apoptosis, neurotransmitter levels, and specific gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Established a rat model of diabetes mellitus and depression.
- Assessed hippocampal pathology using H&E staining and retinal cell apoptosis via TUNEL assay.
- Measured Angiotensin II (Ang II) in peripheral blood and hippocampal neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine) using ELISA.
- Quantified brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and c-fos expression via qPCR and Western blotting.
Main Results:
- The model group exhibited hippocampal damage, increased retinal cell apoptosis, decreased hippocampal neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine), elevated Ang II, and reduced hippocampal BDNF and c-fos expression.
- Both candesartan and music therapy individually ameliorated these pathological and molecular changes.
- The combination of candesartan and music therapy demonstrated additive effects, particularly enhancing the improvement in retinal cell apoptosis and neurotransmitter levels.
Conclusions:
- Candesartan and music therapy exhibit additive therapeutic benefits for comorbid diabetic retinopathy and depression.
- This combination therapy may represent a promising alternative treatment strategy for patients with both conditions.
- The study highlights the potential of targeting the renin-angiotensin system and neurotransmitter pathways in managing complex diabetic complications.
Abstract:
This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of candesartan combined with music therapy on diabetic retinopathy with depression and to assess the molecular mechanisms. Associated animal model of diabetes mellitus and depression was established in rats. Pathological changes in the hippocampus were detected by haematoxylin eosin (H&E) staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) was used to detect retinal cell apoptosis. Angiotensin II (Ang II) in peripheral blood and neurotransmitters, including serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE) in the hippocampus, was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fluorescence quantitative PCR and western blotting were used to detect the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and c-fos in the hippocampus. Our data showed that chromatin aggregation and cytoplasmic vacuolation were observable in the hippocampal cells of the rats in the model group, while candesartan and music therapy could reduce morphological changes in the hippocampus of diabetic rats with depression. Compared with the control group, the apoptosis of retinal cells was significantly higher, the contents of 5-HT, DA, and NE in the hippocampus were significantly lower, Ang II level in peripheral blood was significantly higher, and the expression of BDNF and c-fos in the hippocampus decreased significantly in the model group. By contrast, candesartan or candesartan + music therapy ameliorated the changes in retina cell apoptosis, reduction of neurotransmitters, increase in AII, and the expression of c-fos and BDNF. Especially, music therapy further improved the effects of candesartan on retina cell apoptosis and neurotransmitter release in diabetic retinopathy rats with depression. In conclusion, candesartan and music therapy have an additive effect in DM with both visual impairment and depression, which might serve a potential alternative treatment for this complex disease.
