Abstract:

 Objective   To study the protective function of Angiotensin (1-7) (Ang(1-7)) and Perindopril in diabetic retinopathy(DR) by assessing their effect on expression of TGF-β1 in eyes of experimental diabetic rats. Methods   The healthy male 8-week-old Wistar rats were enrolled in this study. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ, 65mg/kg). The rats were then randomly allocated into five groups: a. Ang(1-7) group, treated with Ang(1-7) at (400ng·kg-1·min-1); b. Perindopril group , treated with Perindopril at (2mg·kg-1·d-1); c. Ang(1-7)+perindopril group, treated with ［Ang(1-7), 400ng·kg-1·min-1, and perindopril, 2mg·kg-1·d-1］ ; d. Diabetes group, e. non-diabetic control group. Expression of TGF-β1 was assessed by immunohistochemical assay. Results   Expression of TGF-β1 in the retina in the Ang(1-7) group, perindopril group and diabetes group was higher than that in the non-diabetic control group(P<0.01, P<0.01, P<0.01), while it in the Ang(1-7)+perindopril group was not significantly difference with that in the non-diabetic control group(P>0.05). Expression of TGFβ1 in the retina in the Ang(1-7) group, Perindopril group and Ang(1-7)+perindopril group was lower than that in the diabetes group(P<0.01, P<0.01, P<0.01)and it in the Ang(1-7) group and the Perindopril group was higher than that in the Ang(1-7)+perindopril group(P<0.01, P<0.01). Conclusion   Ang(1-7) and perindopril can decrease the expression of TGF-β1 in the retina of rats with DR, and their combination can much effectively inhibit the expression of TGF-β1 and may prevent the development of DR.

Key words: Angiotensin (1-7);  Perindopril;  Transforming growth factor-β1; Diabetic retinopathy