<b>The protective effect of Artesunate on diabetic retinopathy through lncRNA HOTAIR/miR-106a-5p/VEGF pathway</b>

The rat Diabetic retinopathy (DR) model was established with streptozotocin, and Art treatment was given. During induction, fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were measured weekly; H&amp;E staining was used to observe the histological morphology of the retina; HbA1c levels and TNF-α, IL-1β, MDA, GPx levels in rat serum and tissues were detected by ELISA; Claudin-5, Occludin and ZO-1 levels in tissues were detected by qRT-PCR. High glucose or Art was used to culture human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRCECs). MTT, flow cytometry, and tube formation experiments were used to detect cell proliferation, apoptosis, and tube formation ability. qRT-PCR was used to detect lncRNA HOTAIR, miR-106a -5p, and VEGF expression; a Dual-Luciferase reporter gene experiment was used to verify the targeting relationship between miR-106a-5p and HOTAIR or VEGF. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of GFAP, HIF-1α, and VEGF in tissues or cells.