Protective effect of tetramethylprazine on retinal tissue of diabetic rats

[Objective] To observe the protective effect of tetramethylprazine(TMP) on retinal tissue of diabetic rats and explore its mechanism.[Methods]36 Wistar rats established diabetes mellitus(DM) model by streptozotocin were randomly divided into DM group and treated(T) group(18 in each group).At the same time,established 10 same germ line normal rats as control(C) group.T group were lavaged with TMP one time a day,DM group and C group were lavaged with 100 mg/kg normal saline one time a day.NADPH histochemical staining was used to show microvessels,ELISA was used to measure retinal vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) levels 4 months after DM model was established.[Results]Compared with C group and T group,the microvessel area density(MVRD)and VEGF levels in DM group rats were observously high(P0.01).In T group,the MVRD and VEGF level were remarkably higher than those of C group(P0.01).[Conclusion]TMP can treat DR and one of its mechanisms may decrease VEGF levels and inhibit hyperplasia of retinal microvessels.