Resveratrol Suppresses Ocular Inflammation in the Diabetic Retina

Abstract

Purpose: : Resveratrol is known as one of the dietary polyphenols found in red wine and grape skin. It has been reported that resveratrol prevents tumorigenesis and aging; however, the effect of resveratrol on ocular pathology still remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory role of resveratrol in the diabetic retina.

Methods: : C57BL/6 mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes were orally treated with resveratrol at the dose of 50mg/kg for seven days. Leukocyte adhesion to the retinal vasculature was evaluated with the concanavalin A lectin perfusion-labeling technique. Retinal protein levels of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and VEGF were examined by ELISA.

Results: : Administration of resveratrol significantly (P < 0.01) reduced leukocyte adhesion to the retinal vessels of diabetic mice by 40%. In addition, the diabetic animals treated with resveratrol showed a significant (P < 0.01) decrease in retinal ICAM-1and VEGF, which were upregulated following the induction of diabetes.

Conclusions: : Resveratrol suppressed leukocyte adhesion together with the inflammatory molecules in the diabetic model. The current data suggest the potential use of resveratrol as a therapeutic agent for diabetic retinopathy.

Keywords: diabetic retinopathy • inflammation