Effects of Probiotic on the Development of Diabetic Retinopathy

Abstract

Purpose : The microbiota on the gut, known as microbiome, has been shown to play a significant role in metabolic diseases particularly diabetes. Hence, disturbances in the gut microbiota known as dysbiosis (the non-physiological variability in the gut microbiome) affects the microbe-gut-eye axis. Changes in the gut microbiome have been shown to affect levels of short chain fatty acids, and gut hormonal peptides. While dysbiosis initiates a chronic inflammation that leads to obesity and or diabetes and their complications such as diabetic retinopathy. This study aims to investigate the effects of a probiotic on the phenotypic development of diabetic retinopathy in a mouse model.

Methods : C57BL/6J and Ins2^Akita mice 12 weeks and older were treated with a probiotic (Lactobacillus rhamnosus) for a period 4 months. The body weights, blood glucose levels, intraocular pressure of the animals were monitored on a weekly basis. After the treatment the retinal health was analyzed via fundus imaging, fluorescence angiography, optical coherence tomography, and electroretinogram. Also, inflammatory mediators such as IL-1b, caspase-1, and NLRP3 were determined for the evidence of cell death via pyroptosis/inflammation.

Results : Body weights of Akita mice were significantly lowered, the blood glucose levels, and the intraocular pressure (IOP) were reduced as well in the mice treated mice in comparison to the control (untreated mice).

Conclusions : Prolonged daily administration of a probiotic had a significant health benefit effects on ocular health as it was able to reduce IOP, and the blood glucose levels in chronic disease models of type 1 diabetes.

This is a 2020 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.