Effects of insulin on VEGF expression in cultured retinal Müller cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of insulin on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in cultured rabbit retinal Muller cells. METHODS: Immunocytochemical method and ELISA were used to assay the change of VEGF expression in cultured Muller cells in vitro at different insulin concentrations in qualitative and quantitative ways. RESULTS: VEGF expression in retinal Muller cells was enhanced markedly by insulin. CONCLUSION: Insulin at high concentration enhances VEGF expression in cultured Muller cells, which may be one of factors that insulin accelerates the progress of diabetic retinopathy.