AIM: To investigate effects of resveratrol on mitochondrial DNA copy in retinal vascular endothelial cells cultured under high glucose conditions and its mechanism.

METHODS: Human retinal vascular endothelial cells were cultured in low glucose or high glucose medium, the genomic DNA was extracted and copy number of mitochondrial DNA was detected by real-time PCR. Effects of resveratrol on the mitochondrial DNA copy in retinal vascular endothelial cells cultured under high glucose medium were studied. The expression of mitochondrial transcription factor A(TFAM)and acetylated proliferator-activated receptor coactivator-1 alpha(PGC-1α)were analyzed by Western blot and coimmunoprecipitation.

RESULTS: High glucose inhibited the copy number of mitochondrial DNA in retinal vascular endothelial cells. However, resveratrol decreased the level of acetylated PGC-1α in retinal vascular endothelial cells, increased the expression of TFAM and the copy number of mitochondrial DNA.

CONCLUSION: Resveratrol may improve mitochondrial function of retinal vascular endothelial cells exposed to a high glucose environment via activation of the PCG-1α-TFAM signaling pathway.