RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the retinal ultrastructure of streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and the intervention effect of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharides (LBP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The STZ-induced diabetic SD rat model was established. LBP was given to those in the treatment group by gastrogavage. Changes of body weight, blood glucose, and retinal ultrastructure at 24-week were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Early retinal changes covered mitochondrion changes, cell degeneration and apoptosis of retinal neurons and neuroglia cells in the diabetic rats. No change of body weight or blood glucose was observed between the LBP group and the diabetic model group (P > 0.05). The ultrastructural changes were obviously relieved by LBP, and limited to the inner nuclear layer.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>LBP could obviously relieve pathological changes of mitochondrion, hinder neural cell apoptosis. Its effect might not be achieved by lowering blood glucose. It was expected to be used in preventing and treating early diabetic retinal neuropathy.</p>