Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10316/12761
Title: Effect of cyclosporin-A on the blood-retinal barrier permeability in streptozotocin-induced diabetes
Authors: Carmo, Anália 
Cunha-Vaz, José G. 
Carvalho, Arsélio P. 
Lopes, Maria Celeste 
Keywords: Blood-retinal barrier (BRB); Nitric oxide; Interleukin-1b (IL-1b); Cyclosporin-A (Cs-A)
Issue Date: 2000
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
Citation: Mediators of Inflammation. 9:5 (2000) 243-248
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Our previous results showed that in retinas from streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats there is an increased level of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta). This cytokine may be involved in the expression of the inducible isoform of the nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), with consequent synthesis of large amounts of NO and blood-retinal barrier (BRB) breakdown. AIMS: The aim of this work was to examine whether the administration of cyclosporin-A (Cs-A) to STZ-induced diabetic rats inhibits the synthesis of IL-1beta and the expression of the inducible proteins, iNOS and cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX-2) in retinal cells, and whether the activity of these proteins contribute to BRB breakdown. METHODS: The level of IL-1beta was evaluated by ELISA and the NO production by L-[3H]-citrulline formation. Expression of iNOS and COX-2 proteins was determined by two methods, western blot and immunohistochemistry. The permeability of the BRB was assessed by quantification of the vitreous protein. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Our results indicated that the levels of IL-1beta and NO in retinas from Cs-A-treated diabetic rats are significantly reduced, as compared to that in non-treated diabetic rats. The treatment of diabetic rats with Cs-A also significantly inhibited the expression of the inducible proteins, iNOS and COX-2. The evaluation of the vitreous protein content revealed that Cs-A also reduces the BRB permeability. Taken together, these results suggest that the increased production of the inflammatory mediators, IL-1beta and NO, in diabetes may affect the BRB permeability and therefore contribute to the development of diabetic retinopathy
URI: https://hdl.handle.net/10316/12761
ISSN: 0962-9351
DOI: 10.1080/09629350020025764
Rights: openAccess
Appears in Collections:FMUC Medicina - Artigos em Revistas Internacionais
FCTUC Ciências da Vida - Artigos em Revistas Internacionais

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