Abstract: [Abstract] Objective To observe the effccts of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on the expression of VEGF and ICAM-1 in the retinae of diabetic rats. Method Thirty diabetic SD rats Inducided by streptozotocin were divided into three groups, diabetic group (DM, n=10) ,low dose group of caffeic acid phenethyl ester（CAPE5，n=10）. High dose group of caffeic acid phenethyl ester（CAPE10，n=10）.Ten else rats were in normal control group.All of the rats were executed 3 months later , both side of the retinae were homogenized in each rat, and the protein level of VEGF and ICAM-1 was detected by Elisa. Results After peritoneal injection of caffeic acid phenethyl ester ,the protein level of VEGF and ICAM-1 were decreased ,in the low dose group, the protein level of VEGF and ICAM-1 were decreased by 40% and 29%,when the protein level of VEGF and ICAM-1 were decreased by 42% and 44% in high dose group. Conclusion caffeic acid phenethyl ester can reduce the expression of VEGF and ICAM-1 in retinae of diabetic rats.

Key words: Diabetic retinopathy, Caffeic acid phenethyl ester, VEGF, ICAM-1