Efect of retinol and α-tocopherol supplementation on photoreceptor and retinal ganglion cell apoptosis in diabetic rats model

Abstract
Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common microvascular complication of diabetes. Retinol and
α-tocopherol of diabetic models prevent the damage of photoreceptor and retinal ganglion cells (RGC) caused by
hyperglycemia.
Objective: This study aims to examine the efect of retinol and α-tocopherol on photoreceptor and RGC densities
and the expression of caspase-3 and -7 on the retinal layers of the diabetic rat model.
Methods: Alloxan 150 mg/kg body weight single dose was used to develop animal models, which were separated
into eight groups. These consist of one group without intervention (group 1), one positive control with only induced
alloxan (group 2), and others receiving retinol (group 3 and 6), α-tocopherol (group 4 and 7), or their combination
(group 5 and 8). Furthermore, histopathological examination was performed using Hematoxylin–Eosin staining to
evaluate the photoreceptor and RGC densities, while immunohistochemistry staining evaluated the caspase-3 and -7
expressions.
Results: In the treatment group, the highest and lowest densities were identifed in diabetic rats given α-tocopherol
(group 7) and retinol (group 3) respectively. The caspase-3 and -7 expression showed that the group given
α-tocopherol (group 7) had the lowest value.
Conclusion: In diabetic rats, retinol and α-tocopherol compounds maintained densities and prevented photorecep�tor and RGC death. However, α-tocopherol was more promising than retinol or combinations in the prevention of
retinal cells apoptosis