The ultrastructural alterations in rat corneas with experimentally-induced diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the ultrastructural changes of rat corneas in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes mellitus and the follow-up insulin treatment.


METHODS
Sprague-Dawley type rats was used for experimental procedures during the period from January to April 2003 at Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey. Rats were studied in 4 groups; group 1: controls, group 2: sham controls (single dose IV sodium citrate), group 3: STZ-induced diabetes mellitus (single dose 45 mg/kg STZ intravenously), group 4: diabetes mellitus + insulin treatment (8 U/day).


RESULTS
We observed degenerative changes in the epithelial layer, stromal keratocytes and endothelial cells in diabetic group. In contrast, the corneal layers have revealed positive alterations in the insulin-treated group. The statistical analyses showed significant narrowing in the epithelial layer in the diabetic group (p=0.002), whereas thickening was observed in the epithelial basement membrane and Descemet's membrane (p=0.002).


CONCLUSIONS
It was determined that diabetes mellitus causes degenerative changes in cornea, which are positively influenced by short-term insulin treatment.
Take
Gulnur
G
Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Besevler 06500, Ankara, Turkey. gtake@gazi.edu.tr
Karabay
Gulten
G
Erdogan
Deniz
D
Duyar
Izzet
I
D000818:Animals; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003886:Descemet Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006652:Histological Techniques; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013311:Streptozocin; D013997:Time Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D013311:Streptozocin