Abstract:

Abstract:Objective To investigate the morphological changes of cornea of rats and mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus induced with high-fat diet combined with low-dose STZ and clarify the characteristics of  the corneal injury in  rat and mouse models with diabetes and eye diseases.Methods Animals were divided into control groups and model groups.High-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of low-dose STZ were used to induce type 2 diabetic rat and mouse  models.After 16/12 weeks,fasting blood glucose,free fatty acids and total cholesterol levels were measured with oxidase method and enzyme method.The histopathological changes of the cornea were analyzed by light microscope.Results Compared with control groups,there was no significant change in body weights of rats and mice in model groups (P>0.05);but the food intake,fasting blood glucose and lipid levels of rats and mice in model groups were significantly increased  (P<0.01).Compared with control groups,the corneal epithelium and stroma in model groups were obviously edema.Conclusion Both experimental diabetic models induced by high-fat diet and low dose of STZ in rats and mice have significant damage to the cornea after 16/12 weeks.

Key words: type 2 diabetes mellitus;diabetic eye disease;ocular diseases;cornea