Anti-RAGE (Receptor Advanced Glycation End products) Antibody Improves Diabetic Retinopathy in Rats via Hypoglycemic and Anti-inflammatory Mechanism

Background: Receptor advanced glycation end products (RAGE) activation plays an essential role in diabetic retinopathy (DR) progression. This study was aimed to explore the role of anti-RAGE antibodies (RAGE antagonists) in inhibiting DR progression through their hypoglycemic and anti inflammatory mechanism in diabetic retinopathy induced rats.   Methods: A total of ۳۰ male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five group. The group was consisted of normal control group, DR group without treatment, DR group with anti-RAGE ۱ g/kg BW, ۱۰ g/kg BW, and ۱۰۰ g/kg BW. To assess the diabetic retinopathy, fundus photographs were taken every week using a camera with ۱۶x magnification placed in front of the rat's eyes. Blood glucose was checked by the glucose oxidase-peroxidase method. Retinal TNF- levels and VEGF were examined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.   Results: The finding of this study showed that anti-RAGE treatment at dose of ۱۰ and ۱۰۰ g/kg BW, HbA۱c levels were significantly higher (p< ۰.۰۵) compared to the normal control group but significantly lower (p< ۰.۰۵) than in the diabetes group. The mean blood vessel diameter in the DR+anti-RAGE ۱۰ and ۱۰۰ g/kg BW groups was significantly lower than in the diabetic retinopathy group (p< ۰.۰۵). The administration of anti-RAGE ۱۰ and ۱۰۰ g/kg BW showed the ability to significantly reduce VEGF levels compared to the DR group (p< ۰.۰۵).   Conclusions:This study revealed at doses of ۱۰ and ۱۰۰ g/kg BW, anti-RAGE antibodies improved diabetic retinopathy in Wistar rats through hypoglycemic effects and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Keywords:

Anti-RAGE (Receptor Advanced Glycation End products) , Diabetic Retinopathy , Glycated Hemoglobin A , Hypoglycemic Agents , Peroxidases , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A