AIM: To observe the effect of adiponectin(APN)on proliferation, migration and tube formation of RF/6A(monkey choroid and retinal endothelial cell line)cells cultured in the conditions of high glucose.

METHODS: Well-cultured RF/6A cells in vitro were randomly divided into four groups: blank control group, mannitol control group, high glucose group and high glucose+10μg/mL APN group. Cell proliferation, migration and tube formation was detected by CCK-8 assay, transwell chamber and matrigel assay, respectively.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the cell proliferation rate(100.00%±0.00% vs 99.09%±0.46%), the number of cell migration(121.60±6.02 vs 119.60±9.39)and the number of tube formation(12.11±0.84 vs 12.22±0.96)between the blank control group and mannitol control group(all P>0.05). The cell proliferation rate of the high glucose group(71.42%±2.29%)was significantly lower than that of the blank control group and the mannitol control group, and the number of cell migration(144.20±9.65)and tube formation(16.00±2.90)of the high glucose group were significantly higher than that of the blank control group and the mannitol control group(all P<0.05). The proliferation rate of cells in the high glucose+APN group(90.87%±1.68%)was significantly lower than that of the blank control group and the mannitol control group, while higher than that in the high glucose group(all P<0.05). The number of cell migration(73.00±6.04)and tube formation(7.89±0.38)in the high glucose+APN group was significantly lower than that of the blank control group, the mannitol control group and the high glucose group(all P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: APN can promote the survival and proliferation of RF/6A cells, and inhibit the migration and tube formation of RF/6A cells under high glucose conditions, suggesting that APN has a protective effect on the damage of RF/6A cells caused by high glucose and inhibits the angiogenesis process under pathological stimulations.