Stability of a rat model of type 2 diabetic mellitus induced by streptozotocin combined with high-fat feeding and its eye disease characteristics / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Streptozotocin-induced diabetic ophthalmopathy is commonly used in animal models, but the pathological changes are local that mainly emphasize on the retina. Little evidence is found about the animal models of the pathology of diabetic ophthalmopathy. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the long-term stability of type 2 diabetic melitus rat models induced by streptozotocin combined with high-fat feeding and to observe the characteristics of eye disease. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into control group and diabetes group. Control group was given normal feeding, while diabetes group was given intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin combined with high-fat feeding to establish diabetic models. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group, at 1 month after modeling, the fasting blood glucose levels increased, and the insulin sensitivity index decreased in the diabetic group (P < 0.05). Evans blue staining results showed that, at 3 months after modeling, retinal cel lesions exacerbated in the diabetic group; at 5 months after modeling, retinal blood vessels traveled in circuity and disorderly, accompanied by the leakage in the diabetic group, Evans blue content in the retina increased as the time after modeling went by (P < 0.05). Under transmission electron microscopy, at 5 months after modeling, the eye lenses in the diabetes group were flocculent pieces, which were the typical characteristics of cataract. Experimental findings indicate that the rat model of type 2 diabetic melitus induced by streptozotocin combined with high-fat feeding has a long-term stability, and its eye changes are consistent with the characteristics of diabetic ophthalmopathy. Therefore, it is an ideal animal model for diabetic ophthalmopathy.