Effects of Luotong on the Morphological Changes of Retinal Microvessels in the Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats / 中国中医药信息杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the protective and therapeutic effect of Luotong on the retinal microvessel kinetic morphological changes during various stages of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods The diabetic rat model was setup by a single intraperitoneal injection 65 mg/kg of streptozotocin. Diabetic model rats were randomly divided into diabetic model group (6, 9, 12 months subgroups), diabetic group protected with Luotong (6 months) from the onset of diabetic model (LT group)and diabetic group treated with Luotong (3, 6 months subgroups ) 6 months after the onset of diabetic model (LT1, 2 group). The eyeballs were removed at 6, 9 and 12 months, respectively. The whole mounts of retinal digestion were prepared and stained with PAS staining method. The light microscope and transmission electron microscope morphological observations were performed and the basilar membrane thickness of retinal capillaries were quantitatively analysed by LEICA-Q550IW computer image system. Results At 6 months, the retinal microvessel morphological changes of LT group were less severe than those of 6 month model group. At 9 months of the diabetic model rat, the retinal microvessel morphological changes were prominent. 3 months after Luotong therapy, the retinal microvessel changes were partly improved in comparison with 9 month model group but still aggravated gradually. At 12 months, the retinal microvessel morphological changes of diabetic model rats were very severe. 6 months after Luotong therapy, the retinal microvessel changes were significant mitigated compared with 12 month model group. The results of computer image analysis indicated the retinal capillary basilar membrane thickness in diabetic group protected or treated with Luotong were significant decreased in comparison with homeochronous model group (P