Protective effect of resveratrol on lens epithelial cell apoptosis in diabetic cataract rat

ObjectiveTo study the protective effect of resveratrol on lens epithelial cell apoptosis in diabetic cataract rat.MethodsA total of 84 Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: 12 in Group A (control group), 24 in Group B (diabetic cataract group), 24 in Group C (therapeutic–dose of resveratrol group) and 24 in Group D (low–dose of resveratrol group). Rats in Group B–D were given with 60 mg/kg streptozotocin through intraperitoneal injection. Rats in Group C were given with 100 mg/kg resveratrol and rats in Group D were given with 20 mg/kg resveratrol. The caspase–3 expression levels and apoptosis ratios of LEC among each group were observed; the degrees of lens opacity in Group B–D after 12 weeks were compared.ResultsThere were significant differences in caspase–3 expression levels, apoptosis ratios of LEC among groups at 4 w, 8 w and 12 w (P<0.05). After 12 weeks, in Group B the degree of lens opacity was as follow: 0 (0.00%) in grade I, 3 (37.50%) in grade II, 2 (25.00%)in grade III, 2 (25.00%)grade IV, and 1 (12.50%) in grade V; in Group C: 2 (25.00%)in grade I, 4 (50.00%) in grade II, 2 (25.00%)in grade III, 0 (0.00%)grade IV, and 0 (0.00 %) in grade V; in Group D: 1 (12.50%)in grade I, 4 (50.00%) in grade II, 2 (25.00%) in grade III, 1 (12.50%) grade IV, and 0 (0.00%) in grade V. The difference among Group B–D was statistically significant (P<0.05).ConclusionsResveratrol has protective effect on lens epithelial cell apoptosis in diabetic cataract rat, and the effect is relative to its dose.