Normalization of glucose entry under the high glucose condition by phlorizin attenuates the high glucose-induced morphological and functional changes of cultured bovine retinal pericytes.

We previously reported that sodium-dependent glucose uptake is present in bovine retinal pericytes and that phlorizin normalizes its glucose consumption under high glucose conditions. To clarify the effect of phlorizin on morphological and functional change of retinal pericytes under high glucose conditions, retinal pericytes were incubated in media with 5 mM glucose, 30 mM glucose, and 30 mM glucose plus 0.2 mM phlorizin for 7 days. The diameter of cells in the concentrations of glucose more than 10 mM were significantly larger than those in 5 mM glucose and 30 mM glucose plus phlorizin. Glucose, sorbitol and fructose contents of the cells in 30 mM glucose were significantly increased compared with those in 5 mM glucose, and were normalized by phlorizin. Thymidine uptake in the concentrations of glucose more than 20 mM was significantly decreased compared with that in 5 mM glucose. Myoinositol uptake, and DNA in 30 mM glucose were significantly reduced, and were normalized with phlorizin. Myoinositol content in 30 mM glucose was the same as that in 5 mM glucose, but was significantly decreased by phlorizin. The ratios of glucose to sorbitol or fructose in 30 mM glucose were significantly decreased, compared with those in 5 mM glucose and 30 mM glucose plus phlorizin. Therefore, the cellular enlargement and decreased DNA synthesis in cultured bovine retinal pericytes with abnormal glucose metabolism under high glucose conditions are attenuated by phlorizin, independent of the cellular myoinositol content.