Protective effect of resveratrol on lens epithelial cell apoptosis in diabetic cataract rat

Objective:To study the protective effect of resveratrol on lens epithelial cell apoptosis in diabetic cataract rat.Methods:A total of 84 Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups:12 in Group A(control group).24 in Group B(diabetic cataract group),24 in Group C(therapeutic-dose of resveratrol group) and 24 in Group D(low-dose of resveratrol group).Rats in Group B-D were given with60 mg/kg streptozotocin through intraperitoneal injection.Rats in Group C were given with 100mg/kg resveratrol and rats in Group D were given with 20 mg/kg resveratrol.The caspase-3expression levels and apoptosis ratios of LEC among each group were observed:the degrees of lens opacity in Group B-D after 12 weeks were compared.Results:There were significant differences in caspase-3 expression levels,apoptosis ratios of T.F.C among groups at 4 w,8 w and12 w(P<0.05).After 12 weeks,in Group B the degree of lens opacity was as follow:0(0.00%) in grade Ⅰ,3(37.50%) in grade Ⅱ,2(25.00%)in grade Ⅲ,2(25.00%)grade Ⅳ,and 1(12.50%) in gradeⅤ:in Group C:2(25.00%)in grade Ⅰ,4(50.00%) in grade Ⅱ.2(25.00%)in grade Ⅲ,0(0.00%)gradeⅣ,and 0(0.00%) in grade Ⅴ;in Group D:1(12.50%)in grade Ⅰ,4(50.00%) in grade Ⅱ,2(25.00%)in grade Ⅲ,1(12.50%) grade Ⅳ,and 0(0.00%) in grade Ⅴ.The.difference among Group B-D was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusions:Resveratrol has protective effect on lens epithelial cell apoptosis in diabetic cataract rat,and the effect is relative to its dose.