Activation of Melanocortin Receptors MC₁ and MC₅ Attenuates Retinal Damage in Experimental Diabetic Retinopathy

Figure 6

Occludin and vascular endothelial growth factor levels into the retina of STZ-diabetic mice. A Quantikine ELISA kit was used in order to assay after 16 weeks of diabetes the levels of occludin into the retina of nondiabetic and diabetic mice following intravitreal administration of selective melanocortin receptor agonists/antagonists: MC₁ receptor agonist BMS-470539; MC₃-MC₄ melanocortin receptor agonist MTII; MC₁ receptor antagonist agouti related protein (AGRP); MC₅ melanocortin receptor agonist PG-901; MC₃-MC₄ melanocortin receptor antagonist SHU9119; MC₅ melanocortin receptor antagonist PG20N. The values represent the mean ± SEM of 8–10 observations. Significant differences against nondiabetic mice are expressed as . Significant differences versus diabetic are expressed as .

(a)

(b)