Neuroprotective effects of lycium barbarum on the hereditary retinal dystrophy of RCS rats / 神经解剖学杂志

ABSTRACT

To investigate the neurepretoctive effect of the aqueous extract of dried fruits of lycium barbarum(LBA)OH the hereditary retihal dystrophy of the Royal CoUege of Surgeon(RCS)rats,a total of 24 postnatal RCS mrs were randomly and equally divided into two groups.control group(CG)and experimental group(EG),respectively.EG rats were fed with 1 mg/kg LBA daily 10 days postpartum,and CG rats were fed normally.CG and EG RCS rats were executed at postnatal 25,35 and 50 days.Then photoreceptor cells necrosis and apoptosis Wag assessed by HE staining,and TUNEL detection.The expression of Cagpage-2 protein Wag detected in retina by immunohistochemistry.The results showed that comparing with RCS rata in the CG,25 and 35 days postpartum,the positive expression of TUNEL in RCS rats in the EG obviously reduced(P＜0.05);25 and 50 days postpartum,Caspage-2 positive ceils were seen in both ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer in both CG and EG rats.The positive expression of Caspage-2 Wag less$een 25 days postpartum in EG rats than CG rats(P＜0.05).The present results suggest that LBA hag neuroprotecdve effects on the early stage of retinal degeneration of the hereditary retinal dystrophy RCS rats by inhibiting apoptosis,resulting more photoreceptors preserved.Cagpage-2 protein may contribute to the retinal degeneration and LBA might protect apoptotic ueuron$by inhibiting the expression of Cagpage-2.