Evaluation of the effect of melatonin treatment on telomere length of the retinal pigment epithelium in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the effect of diabetic retinopathy and melatonin treatment on the relative telomer lengths (RTL) in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. BACKGROUND: TL can be used to evaluate diabetes mellitus, its complications, and the effectiveness of its treatment. However, TL assessment has not been performed in retinal cells in a diabetic retinopathy model until now. METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into four groups. The experimental groups were: Control Group (C): non- diabetic rats; Diabetes Mellitus Group (DM): rats induced to diabetes without treatment; Melatonin and Diabetes Mellitus Group (Mel + DM): rats induced to diabetes and after confirmation, treated with melatonin; Melatonin Group (Mel): rats were not induced to diabetes, treated with melatonin. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin solution after 12 h food fasting. For eight weeks after the diabetes was induced, melatonin was administered via subcutaneous injection at a dose of 10 mg / kg. RTLs were measured by qPCR method with modifications. The comparison of averaged data among groups was performed using least significant difference (LSD) and Kruskal - Wallis Test and One way ANOVA test. RESULTS: RTL was significantly similar in control and melatonin group. RTL was thinnest in DM group, in addition melatonin treatment significantly prevented the RTL shortening in DM + Mel group (p = 0.031). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that diabetic retinopathy led to the shortening of RTL in RPE cells in rats and melatonin treatment prevents this shortening.
Source: BMC Ophthalmology
Author: Ayla Eren Ozdemir
Institution: Sakarya University
Language: English
Subfield: Ophthalmology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,890
OpenAlex ID: W4405549617