Influence of Qiju Dihuang Decoction on Caspase-3 Expression in Retinal Degeneration Rats

Objective:To explore the influence of Qiju Dihuang decoction on Caspase-3 expression in N-methyl-N-nitrosourea(MNU)-induced retinal degeneration rats.Method: Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups: the control group,the model group and the Qiju Dihuang decoction group.MNU at dose 40 mg·kg-1 was ip injected at 50 d after birth to induce retinal degeneration model.All rats were sacrificed at scheduled time points.The expression of Caspase-3 on the retina was detected by immuohistochemistry and Real-Time PCR.Result: The results were demonstrated by immuohistochemistry and Real-Time PCR.Positive Caspase-3 expression in the model group was detected at 12 h after ip MNU,reached to the peak at 2 d and gradually reduced,whereas Caspase-3 expression in the Qiju Dihuang decoction group reached to the peak at 3 d and the peak value was lower than the former.Conclusion: The positive expression of Caspase-3 was raised after MNU injection.Qiju Dihuang decoction can restrain the apoptosis of photoreceptor cells by decreasing the expression of Caspase-3.