Abstract

Context

Artesunate (ART), an antimalarial drug, possesses the ability to induce autophagy and exhibits a protective effect on diabetes.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ART on diabetic retinopathy (DR) and to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

Rats with streptozotocin-induced DR were given intravitreal injection of ART.

Results

ART administration inhibited the increase in retinal thickness and prevented blood–retinal barrier in diabetic rats. Further, vascular leukocyte adherence, microglial activation, inflammatory cytokine, and ROS production in the retinas of diabetic rats were also inhibited by ART. Additionally, ART enhanced autophagy in the retinas of diabetic rats as demonstrated by up-regulated Beclin-1 expression and LC3II/I ratio and down-regulated p62. ART also activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/sensor class III histone deacetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) pathway.

Conclusions

ART, as an autophagy activator, has therapeutic potential in DR treatment.

中文翻译：

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青蒿琥酯通过调节 AMPK/SIRT1 通路激活自噬减轻糖尿病视网膜病变

摘要

语境

青蒿琥酯（ART）是一种抗疟药，具有诱导自噬的能力，对糖尿病具有保护作用。

客观的

本研究旨在评估 ART 对糖尿病视网膜病变（DR）的影响并探讨其潜在机制。

方法

链脲佐菌素诱导的 DR 大鼠接受玻璃体内注射 ART。

结果

ART 给药抑制糖尿病大鼠视网膜厚度的增加并预防血-视网膜屏障。此外，糖尿病大鼠视网膜中血管白细胞粘附、小胶质细胞活化、炎症细胞因子和ROS产生也受到ART的抑制。此外，ART 增强了糖尿病大鼠视网膜的自噬，上调 Beclin-1 表达和 LC3II/I 比值以及下调 p62 证明了这一点。ART 还激活 AMP 激活蛋白激酶 (AMPK)/传感器 III 类组蛋白脱乙酰酶 Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) 通路。

结论

ART作为一种自噬激活剂，在DR治疗中具有治疗潜力。