目的:通过观察人参皂甙Rg3对糖尿病视网膜病变大鼠视网膜组织血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)以及肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)表达的影响,探讨人参皂甙Rg3对糖尿病视网膜新生血管的影响。方法:建立糖尿病大鼠模型,60只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为正常对照组、糖尿病对照组和人参皂甙Rg3治疗组(5mg/kg,0.2mg/mL),开始治疗8wk后检测VEGF和TNF-α的表达情况。结果:正常对照组、糖尿病对照组和人参皂甙Rg3治疗组大鼠视网膜VEGF和TNF-α表达水平差异有统计学意义(F=129.363和211.992,P均<0.01),其中糖尿病对照组与人参皂甙Rg3治疗组大鼠均较正常对照组VEGF和TNF-α表达水平上调(P均<0.01),但人参皂甙Rg3治疗组视网膜组织VEGF和TNF-α较糖尿病组降低(P均<0.01)。结论:人参皂甙Rg3可下调糖尿病性视网膜病变大鼠视网膜组织中VEGF和TNF-α的表达,干预糖尿病视网膜病变的发生、发展。

AIM:To investigate the effect of ginsenoside-Rg3 on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in retina with diabetic rats and its roles in preventing neovascularization in diabetes. METHODS:Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups randomly:negative control group,diabetic control group and ginsenoside-Rg3 treatment group (5mg/kg,0.2mg/mL) followed by establishing diabetic model.The expression of VEGF and TNF-αwere measured after 8 weeks. RESULTS:There were significant differences among negative control group,diabetic control group and ginsenoside-Rg3 treatment group in the expression of VEGF and TNF-α(F= 129.363,211.992;all the P<0.01). VEGF and TNF-αexpression were significantly higher in diabetic control group and ginsenoside-Rg3 treatment group than that in negative control group(P<0.01),with a significant reduction in ginsenoside-Rg3 treatment group than that in diabetic control group(P<0.01). CONCLUSION:Ginsenoside-Rg3 can down-regulate the expression of VEGF and TNF-αin retina,which may interfere in the development of diabetic retinopathy.