目的： 探讨17-β雌二醇对高糖诱导人视网膜色素上皮(retinal pigment epithelial，RPE)细胞的保护作用和可能机制。

方法：RPE细胞传代培养，随机对照法分为四组：空白对照组：5.5mmol/L葡萄糖常规培养基进行处理； 高糖组：100mmol/L葡萄糖作用12h； 17-β雌二醇低浓度组：10μmol/L 17-β雌二醇孵育24h后，加入100mmol/L葡萄糖作用12h； 17-β雌二醇高浓度组：100μmol/L 17-β雌二醇孵育24h后，加入100mmol/L葡萄糖作用12h。MTT比色法检测细胞活力，Hochest33258染色观察细胞凋亡，H₂DCFDA染色检测细胞内活性氧(reactive oxygen species，ROS)水平，比色法检测过氧化氢酶(catalase，CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase，SOD)和丙二醛(malondialdehyde，MDA)的表达。

结果：随着葡萄糖浓度的增加，RPE细胞活性逐渐下降，17-β雌二醇能明显抑制高糖诱导的RPE细胞活力的下降，降低RPE细胞凋亡率，抑制细胞内ROS生成。此外，17-β雌二醇能明显增加RPE细胞内CAT、SOD表达，降低MDA的表达。

结论：17-β雌二醇能有效抑制高糖对RPE细胞的损伤，从而为用于治疗视网膜相关疾病提供可靠的实验依据。

METHODS: RPE cells were cultured and divided into four groups according to randomized controlled method: blank control group: the cells were treated with 5.5mmol/L routine glucose medium for processing; high glucose group: cells were treated with 100mmol/L glucose for 12h; 17β-estradiol low concentration group: after treated with 10 μmol/L 17β-estradiol, cells were treated with 100mmol/L glucose for 12h; 17β-estradiol high concentration group: after treated with 100 μmol/L 17β-estradiol, cells were treated with 100mmol/L glucose for 12h. Cell viability were tested by MTT colorimetric detection. Cells apoptosis were detected by Hochest33258 staining. Intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)level were detected by H₂DCFDA staining. Expression of CAT, SOD and MDA were tested by colorimetric detection.

RESULTS: RPE cell activity decreased with the concentration of glucose increased; 17β-estradiol inhibited high glucose-induced cell viability decrease in RPE cells, decreased the apoptosis rate of RPE cells and intracellular ROS generation; besides, 17β-estradiol significantly increased the expression of CAT, SOD and decreased the expression of MDA in RPE cells.

CONCLUSION: The 17β-estradiol effectively inhibited high glucose -induced RPE cells damage, which provide reliable experimental basis for the treatment of injuries in RPE cells.