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 with 60 mg/kg streptozotocin through intraperitoneal injection. Rats in Group C were given with 100 mg/kg resveratrol and rats in Group D were given with 20 mg/kg resveratrol. The caspase-3 expression levels and apoptosis ratios of LEG 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 LEC among groups at 4 w, 8 w and 12 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 grade V: in Group C: 2 (25.00%)in grade, 4 50.00%) in grade 11 2 (25.00%)in grade III, 0 (0.00%)grade IV, and 0 (0.00 %) in grade V; in Croup 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.