AIM:To explore the effects of connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)on diabetic retinopathy(DR)in rats,and the potential protective mechanism of compound xueshuantong to DR.

METHODS:Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were divided into normal group(group a,n=12)and model group(n=24). Rats in model group received intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(60mg/kg body weight)to get diabetic rats,which were randomly subdivided into diabetic group(group B,n=12)and xueshuantong intervention group \〖group C,1g/(kg·d),n=12\〗. At 6th and 12th wk of the experiment, 6 rats randomly selected from every group,were executed to get retinal tissue for detecting CTGF-mRNA by electron microscope.

RESULTS:Compared with group A,the content of CTGF-mRNA in retina tissue increased at 6, 12wk in both group B and C(P<0.05). Compared with group B,the content of CTGF-mRNA in retina tissue in group C decreased at 6, 12wk(P<0.05). Electron microscope showed:in group B,the capillary endothelial cells and mitochondria became swollen; the amount of pinocytosis vesicle increased; the electron density in capillary basement membrane was not homogeneous and nodular thickening phenomenon appeared; compared with group B,the changes in group C were alleviated.

CONCLUSION:CTGF may be involved in the progress of DR in diabetic rats. Compound xueshuantong may exert its protective effect through decreasing the expression of CTGF in the retina of diabetic rats.