AIM: To investigate the protective effects of gigantol on aldose reductase(AR)pathway and oxidative stress induced by high glucose in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(HRMECs).

METHODS: HRMECs were cultured and divided into the five groups: normal glucose group, mannitol group,high glucose group, gigantol group and epalrestat group. Cell vitality was detected by the MTS assay, reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels were detected by DCFH-DA fluorescent probe, protein expressions of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)were observed by Western blotting, mRNA levels of AR, hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)were measured by qRT-PCR.

RESULTS: DCFH-DA fluorescent probe levels showed that gigantol reduced ROS generation obviously, and protein expressions of NF-κB, mRNA expressions of AR,HIF-1α and VEGF were all decreased. The expression trends of AR and NF-κB in epalrestat group were consistent with gigantol group.

CONCLUSION: Gigantol and epalrestat could inhibit the activation of AR/NF-κB pathway, and gigantol also could inhibit high glucose induced oxidative stress and in HRMECs, which may have a protective effect on diabetic retinopathy(DR), and improve angiogenesis.