Protective Effect of Elabela on High Glucose-Induced Cytotoxicity in Cultured Rat Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons

Peripheral neuropathy is a significant complication of diabetes, often manifesting as chronic neuropathic pain transmitted centrally via the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Both Apelin and Elabela, peptides that bind the APJ receptor, have shown potential in diabetes management. However, Elabela’s effects on cell viability in diabetic neuropathy remain unexplored. This study examines the effects of Elabela on cell viability and related cellular pathways in an in vitro model of diabetic neuropathy. Elabela’s effects on DRG neuron viability under high-glucose conditions were evaluated at 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 2 μM using the MTT assay. To elucidate the mechanism of action, LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor, was employed.High glucose exposure significantly reduced cell viability in DRG neurons (p