Abstract
Purpose :
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the leading cause of legal blindness in working age adults worldwide. Diabetic retinopathy has a major impact on vision; thus, it is extensively studied and the primary concern for physicians. However, diabetic patients appear to have more frequent corneal problems compared to non-diabetic patients. Currently, 18% of corneal transplants in the United States come from diabetic donors. We reported young Ossabaw pigs fed a western diet show signs of early diabetic retinopathy.
Methods :
Ossabaw pigs have metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes mellitus making them the closest model to study human type II diabetes. In this study, we identify collagen changes in corneal stroma caused by type II DM. Corneal tissue collected from 6 month old Ossabaw mini pigs fed a western diet with high fat/high fructose corn syrup/high choleric content for 10 weeks were used to prepare mRNA for qPCR, and 8 um cryosections for IHC, H and E, and mason trichome stains. Collagen measuring parameters include collagen I (COL I), Collagen III (COL III), and total collagen.
Results :
We found altered levels of Col I and II in pigs on western diet compared to regular diet. Masson’s Trichome stain showed increased levels of collagen in diabetic corneas compared to healthy age-matched corneas.
Conclusions :
Diabetic Ossabaw pig demonstrated notably altered expression of structural parameters suggesting the vulnerability of the corneal tissue to diabetic conditions.
This is a 2021 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.