Role of NF-E2-related factor 2 in neuroprotective effect of l-carnitine against high glucose-induced oxidative stress in the retinal ganglion cells.

Abstract l -Carnitine (LC) has protective effects on high glucose-induced oxidative stress in the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). The aim of this study was to investigate the role of NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Kelch like-ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), haemoxygenase-1 (HO-1) and γ-glutamyl cysteine synthetase (γ-GCS) in the protective effect of LC on RGCs. RGCs were first processed with high concentrations of glucose. LC treatment at three concentrations (50 μM, 100 μM and 200 μM) was applied to high glucose stimulated RGCs. The expression of Nrf2, Keap1, haemoxygenase-1 (HO-1) and γ-glutamyl cysteine synthetase (γ-GCS) was quantified by Western blot in the treatment and control (high glucose stimulation) groups. In the three LC groups (50 μM, 100 μM and 200 μM), Nrf-2 (0.71 ± 0.04, 0.89 ± 0.05, 1.24 ± 0.05 vs 0.56 ± 0.03, p p p p