Effects of L -Carnitine on High Glucose-Induced Oxidative Stress in Retinal Ganglion Cells

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress plays a role in diabetic retinopathy. L-Carnitine is an endogenous mitochondrial membrane compound. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the protective effects of L-carnitine on high glucose-induced oxidative stress in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). METHODS: Hoechst 33258 staining was used to estimate cell loss. Mitochondrial function was predicted by mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) measurement. The expression of apoptosis-related protein was measured by Western blotting. Assays for reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, lipid peroxidation, total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC) and antioxidant defense enzymes were completed to explain the antioxidative capacity of L-carnitine. RESULTS: L-Carnitine (12 h) inhibited high glucose-mediated cell loss and restored mitochondrial function including a reversion of ΔΨm loss and cytochrome c release. Cell apoptosis triggered by high glucose was also inhibited by L-carnitine, characterized by the downregulation of caspase-9, caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl-2. Furthermore, L-carnitine inhibited high glucose-induced ROS production and lipid peroxidation and promoted endogenous antioxidant defense components including superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and T-AOC in a concentration-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: L-Carnitine may protect RGCs from high glucose-induced injury through the inhibition of oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction and, ultimately, cell apoptosis.