International Journal of Clinical Research

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Huoxue Tongluo Recipe (HXTLF) on inhibiting retinal vascular endothelial cell pyroptosis by regulating VAV2-RAC1-NLRP3 signaling pathway, and improving diabetes retinopathy (DR). Methods The in vivo experiment involved constructing a DR model in SD rats using a high-fat, high-sugar diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). The rats were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, and low (5 mL/kg/day), medium (10 mL/kg/day), and high (20 mL/kg/day) dosage groups of HXTLF, with continuous gavage intervention for 3 months. The effects on the expression of key proteins in the VAV2-RAC1-NLRP3 signaling pathway were observed in each group. Results After HXTLF intervention, each dose group (especially the medium and high dose groups) can significantly improve the metabolic disorders and pathological damage mentioned above. At the mechanistic level, HXTLF effectively reduces oxidative stress levels in retinal tissue (decreases MDA, increases SOD and GSH Px activity) and inhibits the release of inflammatory factors IL-1 β and TNF - α. Conclusion The Huoxue Tongluo Formula may inhibit the VAV2-RAC1 axis, thereby blocking the activation of downstream NLRP3 inflammasomes and the process of cell pyroptosis.

Huoxue Tongluo Formula; Diabetic retinopathy; Cell pyroptosis; VAV2-RAC1-NLRP3 pathway; Oxidative stress; Molecular mechanism