Collagen peptide modified carboxymethyl cellulose as both antioxidant drug and carrier for drug delivery against retinal ischaemia/reperfusion injury

Oxidative stress can cause injury in retinal endothelial cells. Carboxymethyl cellulose modified with collagen peptide ( CMCC ) is of a distinct antioxidant capacity and potentially a good drug carrier. In this study, the protective effects of CMCC against H 2 O 2 ‐induced injury of primary retinal endothelial cells were investigated. In vitro, we demonstrated that CMCC significantly promoted viability of H 2 O 2 ‐treated cells, efficiently restrained cellular reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) production and cell apoptosis. Then, the CMCC was employed as both drug and anti‐inflammatory drug carrier for treatment of retinal ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) in rats. Animals were treated with CMCC or interleukin‐10‐loaded CMCC ( IL ‐10@ CMCC ), respectively. In comparisons, the IL ‐10@ CMCC treatment exhibited superior therapeutic effects, including better restoration of retinal structural thickness and less retinal apoptosis. Also, chemiluminescence demonstrated that transplantation of IL ‐10@ CMCC markedly reduced the retinal oxidative stress level compared with CMCC alone and potently recovered the activities of typical antioxidant enzymes, SOD and CAT . Therefore, it could be concluded that CMCC provides a promising platform to enhance the drug‐based therapy for I/R‐related retinal injury.