Effects of angelicae sinensis decoction on vitreous and serum vescular endothelial growth factor level in diabetes mellitus rats

Background The main mechanism of diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the formation of retinal neovascularization. Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) is primarily factor for DR. Objective The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of angelicae sinensis decoction for supplementing blood ( ASD), a kind of traditional prescription of Chinese herbal medicine, on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level in vitreous and serum of STZ-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods Thirty-four SPF male SD rats were fed using high fat diet for 8 weeks and then the streptozocin of 25 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected to create the type 2 diabetic models. ASD (3.6 g/kg) and 10 mg/kg Gli of 5 mi were administered intragastrically from the 4th day of high fat die though 8 weeks respectively. Other 10 matched rats were used as normal control group. The body weight, blood glucose level ,triglycerides (TG) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) were detected in 4 and 8 weeks after usage of drug. The vitreous and serum samples were obtained in the 8 th weeks for the VEGF detection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This experiment comlied with the Regulations for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission. Results The body weight and HDL in DM group were significantly lower than those of normal control group in 4 or 8 weeks ( P＜0. 01 ), but in ASD and Gli groups ,the body weight and HDL were higher than those of the DM group (P＜0. 05 ). the blood glucose level and TG were elevated in DM group compared with normal control group (P＜0. 01 ), but those in ASD group and Gli group were decreased in comparison with DM group ( P＜0.05 ). EIISA revealed that no significant differences were found in VEGF levels between normal control group and ASD group or Gli group (P＞0. 05 ), but in DM group, the serum VEGF level (147.65±4. 55 ng/L) was reduced and vitreous VEGF level (673.45± 100. 85 ng/L) was raised,showing the considerable differences (P＜ 0.05 ). No any correlation was found between serum VEGF level and vitreous VEGF level (r=0.314,P＞0. 05). Conclusion ASD can decrease the VEGF level in vitreous,implying that ASD postpone the occurrence of diabetic retinopathy in DM rat. Key words: Diabetic mellitus;  Angelicae sinensis decoction for supplementing blood;  Vitreous;  Serum;  Vascular endothelial growth factor