Abstract:

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of blueberry anthocyanins (BA) against retinal
photodamage in rats and elucidate the potenital mechanism. A total of 50 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided
into 5 groups: normal control group, model control group, low-dose group, medium-dose group, and high-dose group. The
thickness of the retinal outer nuclear layer was measured as well as total retinal protein content and malondialhyde (MDA),
superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in the established
photo-oxidative damage model. Compared with the model control group, rats administered with BA at medium dose and
high dose had more clearly demarcated retinal structure and more ordered cells. Each dose of BA effectively prevented
the thinning of the retinal outer nuclear layer and the reduction of total protein content. High-dose BA group also could
significantly improve SOD, GSH-Px and MDA levels. Compared with the model control group, there was no signinificant
difference in LDH level at any of the doses tested. Blueberry anthocyanins have a significant protective effect against rat
retinal light damage, possibly because of their anti-lipid peroxidation activity.

Key words: blueberry anthocyanins, light damage, superoxide dismutase(SOD), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malondialhyde(MDA)