Effects of taurine treatment on glutamate transporter mRNA expression in diabetic rat retina / 中国糖尿病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effects of taurine treatment on retina ultrastructure and glutamate receptor GLAST mRNA expression in diabetic rat.Methods Diabetic rats were fed with 1.2% taurine for 3 months.Reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) were employed to detect the expression of GLAST mRNA.Changes of retinal ultrastructure of rats were observed with transmission electronic microscope. Results From the first to the third month,the(mRNA) expression of GLAST gradually decreased in diabetic rat retina.Taurine could up-regulate the expression in this period.Membrane disc arrange was disordered and mitochondria swelled in STZ diabetic rat retina,which were ameliorated after taurine treatment.Conclusion Taurine can up-regulate the mRNA expression of GLAST and restrain excitotoxicity of glutamate.These observations suggest that taurine may play a role of nerve protection.