ABSTRACT
AIM:ToinvestigatetheultrastructuralchangesofisletmicrovascularendothelialcellsinSTZ-in-duced type 1 diabetic mice .METHODS:BALB/c mice were randomly divided into diabetic group and control group .The expression of insulin and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 ( CD31) in islet microvessels was detected by immu-nohistochemical staining .The ultrastructural changes of islet βcells and islet microvessels were observed under transmis-sion electron microscope .RESULTS:Compared with control group , the number of islet βcells, ratio of βcells/αcells, average number of secretory granules in βcells and insulin expression area per islet in diabetic group were significantly de-creased (P<0.01).Besides, diabetic group had fewer microvessels with lower expression of CD 31 (P<0.01).Mito-chondria in islet microvascular endothelial cells and pericytes in diabetic group were swelling .The basement membrane of islet microvessels became thicker in diabetic group ( P<0.01 ) .CONCLUSION: Islet microvascular endothelial cells were impaired in type 1 diabetic mice .