Proinflammatory Cytokines Trigger the Onset of Retinal Abnormalities and Metabolic Dysregulation in a Hyperglycemic Mouse Model

Figure 6

Metabolite levels in the retina two days after intravitreal injection. (a) Glucose levels, (b) lactate levels, (c) ATP levels, (d) glutamate levels, and (e) glutamine levels. Although hyperglycemic mice without cytokines showed significantly high retinal glucose levels, intravitreal injection of cytokines to hyperglycemic mice further increased glucose, lactate, ATP, glutamine levels, and reduced glutamate levels compared to control mice (represented by the asterisk). Moreover, intravitreal injection of cytokines to hyperglycemic mice caused a significant change in glucose, lactate, ATP, and glutamine levels compared to hyperglycemic mice without intraocular cytokines (represented by the hashtag). One-way ANOVA followed by post hoc Dunnett’s multiple comparison tests was used to determine statistical significance compared to controls. The unpaired t-test was used to determine the added effect of cytokines on hyperglycemic mice. Values represent mean ± SEM (n = 6–8 eyes). ^∗ and ^# < 0.05, ^∗∗ and ^## < 0.01, ^∗∗∗ and ^### < 0.001, ^∗∗∗∗ < 0.0001. Abbreviations- C: control mice, Cyt: mice with cytokines, HG: hyperglycemic mice, HG + Cyt: hyperglycemic mice with cytokines.

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