db7DB MICE AS A MODEL OF MICROVASCULAR LESION IN DIABETES

The dh/db ntouse spontqneously develops a diabetic state ÍhaÍ closely resembles human type 2 diabetes. The authors studied the pathologic changes oJ'the retinal nticrocirculotion - using the trypsin digestion technique in a g,roup oJ diabetic db/db tnice and age-maÍched <'ontrols (db/m), divided intofive age tli.f.ferengt roups (from l2 to 61 u'eeks).A qualitotive and quantiÍative (endothelial cells/pericytes:E /P ratio) evnluulion was per.f-ortned. The qulhors showed lhal there is a slntisÍically significant increase in the E/P ratio in diabetic artintals versus c'ontrols, due lo selecÍive pericyte loss.'They also.found in db/db trtice sottte lesions of the refinal microcirc'ulation whic'h are characteristic of diabetic retinopathy: irreg,trluril-t,rn capillar.v dìurneler, -strand-like c'apillaries. The authors cont'lude that db/db rnice ma.r' represení an adequate tttodel of e.rperinrental diabetit' retinopath,r'.