title: Histopathological changes in retinas and F-ERG features of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats treated with ozone.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the histopathological changes in the retina and flash electroretinogram (F-ERG) features of ozone-treated streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy male Sprague Dawley rats were grouped as follows: blank group (GB, n=10), model control group (GM, n=18), ozone group (GO3, n=19), and oxygen group (GO2, n=18). The model was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of STZ. Ozone or oxygen enteroclysm was given twice per week for 4wk. F-ERG and histopathological examinations were performed one month after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Under dark adaption, as compared to GB, the other groups each had differential decreases in the a-wave amplitudes (P<0.05); the latencies were delayed in GM, GO2, and GO3 rats (P<0.05). Similar results were observed under light adaption, with the exception that the a-wave of the amplitudes (F=0.28, P>0.05). There were significant differences in the apoptosis index among the groups (P<0.05). Under ozone treatment, apoptosis was decreased in GO3 as compared to GM and GO2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ozone administration alleviates nerve damage and reduces pathology and apoptosis in the retinas of diabetic rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumchi 830011, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
authors.forename: Ting-Yu
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumchi 830011, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumchi 830011, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China.
authors.forename: Xue-Yi
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Chen
keywords: diabetic rat retina; flash electroretinogram features; histopathological changes; ozone treatment