Protective effects of taurine on Müller cells apoptosis in diabetic retinopathy

Objective To observe the apoptosis changes of retinal Muller cells clutured in high glucose after treated with taurine and further investigate the protection of taurine on Muller cells in early diabetic retinopathy.Methods Muller cells were separated and purified from the retinas of 3-day SD rats and cultured in 25 mmol/L glucose that was proved to be high glucose culture for Muller cells by pre-experiment,and according to the taurine dose for treatment divided into 5 groups:0,0.1,1,5,10 mmol/L taurine.The Muller cells not cultured in 25 mmol/L glucose and without taurine treatment served as normal control.The apoptosis of retinal Muller cells was detected by TUNEL and the protective effects of taurine on Muller cells in high glucose was observed.Results The Muller cells were identified by double staining with Glial Fibrillary Acid Protein and S-100 in immunocytochemical fluorescein test.The positive cells decreased significantly after the taurine treatment,in a dose dependent manner.The amount of positive cells in taurine-treated group(1,5,10 mmol/L taurine) was less than that of high glucose group(0 mmol/L taurine)(P0.01).Conclusion Taurine can inhibit the apoptosis of retinal Muller cells induced by high glucose and the inhibition effect is related to taurine dose.