Effect of taurine on GFAP and TauT expressions in rat retinal Müller cells in high glucose culture

ObjectiveTo detect the expression of glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) and taurine transporter (TauT) in the retinal Müller cells in high glucose culture with taurine and to explore the influence of glucose on the taurine transporting, and the possible protective effects of taurine on Müller cells in early diabetic retinopathy.MethodsThe Müller cells from the rat retina were cultured in high glucose, and GFAP and TauT expressions were detected in the cells treated with different doses of taurine by immuocy-tochemical fluorescein staining and Western blotting.ResultsHigh glucose enhanced the expression of GFAP and decreased the expression of TauT in Müller cells. Taurine decreased the up-regulation of GFAP in the cells which was induced by high glucose; 0. 1–10 mmol/L taurine increased the expression of TauT in Müller cells.ConclusionTaurine can inhibit the changes in Muller cell resulted from high glucose.