RESUMO
AIM To inVestigate the positiVe transcription elongation factor b(P-TEFb)expressjon and the effect of berberine on diabetic retina of the rat.METHODS Type 2 diabetes mellitus rat models were diabetic control rats(group A)that neither received STZ nor the high-carbohydrate/high-fat diet;16-wk diabetic rats without any drug treatment(group B);diabetic rats treated with berberine at a dose of 75,150 or staining and P-TEFb(cyclin-dependent kinases 9(CDK9)and cyclin T1)protein expression was detected by immunohistochemjstry.RESULTS The retinas of control group were thicker than those of other 6 groups.After thickness but no difference in retinal structure among all groups.Middle-.high-dose berberine and rosiglitazone fenofibrate showed no effect on CDK9 and cyclin T1 expression.CONCLUSION Berberine modulating P-TEFb level in diabetic retina may probably be one of the mechanisms to ameliorate retinopatby induced by STZ and the high-carbohydrate/high-fat diet.