Oxidative stress in diabetic retinopathy
Project Member(s): Van Reyk, D.
Start year: 2001
Summary: Diabetes mellitus is a condition characterised by elevated blood glucose. In the diabetic eye, there is a breakdown in the function of the retinal blood vessels, which can lead to blindness. We will use a cell culture of the retinal vessels, derived from bovine retinal capillary endothelial cells to examine the effect of exposure to high levels of glucose. We will investigate if the loss of cell function caused by exposure to high levels of glucose is due to damage to the cells caused by highly reactive oxygen-based compounds known as reactive oxygen species. We will assess this both in terms of assaying for signs of oxidative damage to the cells as well as assessing how well the cells can deal wih any build up of reactive oxygen species.
FOR Codes: Vision Science, Endocrinology, Hearing, vision, speech and their disorders, Endocrine organs and diseases (incl. diabetes), Diabetes, Hearing, Vision, Speech and Their Disorders, Clinical health