Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To investigate the localization of two major anti–oxidant, heme oxygenase 1(HO–1) and catalase in the retina of diabetic model rat. Methods: One–month–old male Otsuka Long–Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats, spontaneously diabetic model animal, and age–and sex–matched Long–Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rat, normal control animal, were supplied by Ostuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.(Tokushima, Japan). Body weight and blood sugar levels were measured monthly. Their eyes were enucleated at 16 months after birth. Tissues were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde, sucrose infiltrated, embedded in OCT, and cryopreserved. 10µm cryosections were examined by immunohistochemical procedure for HO–1 and catalase proteins. Results: OLETF rats gained weight faster than LETO rats at the beginning. However, OLETF rats lost weight after 9 months and at 16 month of age the body weight of OLETF rats were significantly lighter than those of LETO rats. The blood sugar level of OLETF rats was remarkably higher than that of LETO rats after 5 months of age. HO–1 and catalase proteins existed in entire neurosensory retina. Especially the ganglion cell layer showed strong positive immnostaining of HO–1. There was no significant difference of expression pattern and level in the retina with OLETF rats and LETO rats. Conclusions: HO–1 and catalase proteins are existed in rat retina. There was no significant difference of expression pattern and level in the retina with spontaneously diabetic model rats and control rats at the age of 16 month.
Keywords: antioxidants • diabetic retinopathy • immunohistochemistry