Effects of ozone therapy on retinal cell apoptosis and VEGF,PEDF expression in diabetic rats

Objective To observe the effects and mechanism of ozone therapy on retinal cell apoptosis and vascular endothelial growth factor( VEGF),pigment epithelial derived factor( PEDF) expression in diabetic rats. Methods A total of 72 male SD rats were chosen,18 cases in normal control group( group N),the rest 54 cases were feed with high fat and sugar diet,and streptozotiein was intraperitoneal injected to establish the diabetes model,52 cases were successful established,which were randomly divided into three groups: diabetic model group( group D,17 cases,no intervention),oxygen intervention group( group D + O2,17 cases,giving oxygen enema 3 times per week),ozone therapy group( group D + O3,18 cases,giving ozone enema 3 times per week). After intervention for one month,the eyeballs of all rats were extracted,and TUNEL technique was used to detect the cell apoptosis and the apoptosis index( AI) was calculated. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction( RT-PCR) was used to measure the expression of VEGF and PEDF mRNA. Results TUNEL method results showed apoptotic cells were mainly in the ganglion cell layer,inner nuclear layer and vascular endothelium. AI values in group N,group D,group D + O2and group D + O3were 1. 97 ± 0. 53,34. 43 ± 5. 56,34. 68 ± 5.80 and 19. 22 ± 3. 30,respectively,there was statistical difference( F = 89. 070,P = 0. 000),andthere were statistical differences between group N and group D,group D + O2,group D + O3,and between group D + O3and group D,group D + O2( all P =0. 000). RT-PCR results showed VEGF mRNA relative expression in group N,group D,group D + O2and group D+ O3were 4. 22 ± 1. 18,11. 60 ± 3. 42,10. 75 ± 2. 81 and 7. 40 ± 2. 13,respectively,there was statistical difference( F = 23. 923,P = 0.000),and there were statistical differences between group N and group D,group D + O2,group D +O3,between group D +O3and group D,group D + O2( all P =0.000). PEDF mRNA relative expression in group N,group D,group D +O2and group D + O3were 0. 22 ± 0. 12,0.13 ± 0. 08,0. 12 ± 0. 07 and 0. 19 ± 0. 09,respectively,there was statistical difference( F = 2. 803,P = 0. 053),and there were statistical differences between group N and group D,group D + O2( P =0.018,0.029),and there was no statistical difference among other groups( all P 0. 05). Conclusion Ozone therapy can reduce diabetic retinal cell apoptosis,secretion of VEGF,and may protect PEDF in early stage,at the same time the development of diabetic retinopathy progression may have effective control.