Methylene Blue Reduces Retinal Cell Inflammation, Apoptosis, and Oxidative Stress in a Rat Model of Diabetic Retinopathy via Sirtuin 1 Activation.

OBJECTIVE

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), characterized by neuronal damage in the retina, is primarily driven by oxidative stress resulting from diabetes (DM). This study investigated the potential effects of methylene blue (MB) on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DR.

METHODS

A rat model of DR was established via STZ injection, while a cell model was created using high-glucose (HG) exposure of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells. Evaluation of oxidative stress markers, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and pro-apoptotic proteins was performed based on their expression profiles in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells.

RESULTS

MB treatment significantly upregulated the expression of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), which was found to be downregulated in the retinal tissues of STZ-treated rats and HG-exposed human retinal microvascular endothelial cells, as determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Furthermore, MB therapy effectively suppressed STZ-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death. Consistent with the in vivo findings, MB activated the expression of SIRT1, thereby protecting HG-treated human retinal microvascular endothelial cells against oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

These results support the conclusion that MB mitigates DR by activating SIRT1, leading to a reduction of inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress.