| A Histological and Immunohistochemical Investigation to Assess the Therapeutic Role of Metformin Nanoemulsion against Metformin in A Diabetic Retinopathy Model Sherif Rabea Mohamed*, Ahmed Said Alazzouni, Mona Abd El-Rhman Ibrahim, Ayah Samir Fathal |
| Paper ID : 1070-ISCH |
| Authors |
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Sherif Rabea Mohamed * Lecturer |
| Abstract |
| This study aimed to investigate the potential of metformin nanoemulsion (MTF-NE) in treating streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic retinopathy in rats. The nanoemulsion formula was created using an oil phase (5% v/v), 1 g of metformin (MTF), and a hydrophilic surfactant, and was then evaluated for particle size and zeta potential. Adult male rats were induced for diabetes with 60 mg/kg STZ and were categorized into 4 groups: the control (CONT) group, the STZ control group, the STZ+MTF group (orally given daily dose of metformin 18 mg/200 g b.wt.), and the STZ+ MTF-NE group (Metformin nanoemulsion at a daily dose of 18 mg/kg body weight was administered intraperitoneally). Histopathological examinations, including hematoxylin and eosin, anti-F-actin, anti-CD57, and anti-S100 immunostains, were performed after 8 weeks. The results show that the average size of metformin nanoemulsion was 291 nm and the zeta potential of metformin nanoemulsion was -24.9. Many alterations in the STZ group as slight disorganization of retinal layers, loss of some photoreceptor processes, and focal widening of intercellular spaces between small darkly-stained nuclear cells in inner and outer nuclear layers, focal areas of disruption of outer plexiform layer, pyknotic nuclei of ganglion cells, and dilated congested blood capillaries with vascular leakage in the ganglion cell layer, decreased F-actin, increased CD75 and S100 immunohistochemical expression. Rats treated with metformin nanoemulsion have substantial improvements in retinal organization, histopathology, and immunohistochemical markers compared to those treated with metformin. The study suggests that metformin nanoemulsion holds promise for alleviating diabetic retinopathy in rats. |
| Keywords |
| Nanoemulsion, Diabetic retinopathy, Metformin, Ganglion cells. |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Oral Presentation) |