Expression Changes Of UCPs,MnSOD In Lens Of Diabetic Rats Induced By Streptozotocin

Objective: To study mRNA expression of uncoupling proteins homologues in lens of rats. To observe changes of mRNA expression of uncoupling proteins and MnSOD in different course of diabetes. The molecular mechanism of diabetic cataract was discussed. Methods: To detect uncoupling proteins homologues 1-5 expression in normal lens of Sprague-Dawley rats by RT-PCR. To evaluate their mRNA content in normal condition with cerebral cortex and skeleton muscle acted as positive control. Diabetic rats model were formed by STZ injected into the tail vein. Rats were humanely sacrificed 2,4,8 and 12 weeks after the onset of diabetes. The mRNA expression of uncoupling proteins homologues and MnSOD in lens was detected with RT-PCR. Results: Uncoupling protein 2 can be detected in lens of normal rats. Its content is similar to that of cerebral cortex and less than that of skeletal muscle. UCP1,3,4,5 mRNA can not be detected in normal rat lens with RT-PCR. There was no difference among mRNA expression of MnSOD in three different tissues. 8/15 rats(53.3%)exhibited cataract 12 weeks after the onset of diabetes. At 16 weeks after the onset of diabetes, 7 rats among 9 rats (77.8%)exhibited cataract. UCP2,MnSOD mRNA expression changed with the courses of disease. UCP2 and MnSOD mRNA increased at 2 weeks after the onset of diabetes. Then...