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(Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. 1972;11:926-935.)
© 1972 by The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Inc.

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Dilatation and Endothelial Proliferation of Retinal Capillaries in Streptozotocin-Diabetic Rats: Quantitative Electron Microscopy

LEO SOSULA 1, PAUL BEAUMONT 2, FREDERICK C. HOLLOWS 2, and KEITH M. JONSON 3

1 Department of Neurobiology, Research School of Biological Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, A.C.T. 2601.
2 Division of Ophthalmology, University of New South Wales, Randwick, N.S.W. 2031.
3 Department of Psychology, University of Sydney, N.S.W. 2001.

The capillaries in normal and short term (30 days) streptozotocin-diabetic rats were studied with quantitative light and electron microscopy. The streptozotocin treatment caused capillary dilatation, endothelial proliferation, and endothelial swelling. These ultrastructural changes occurred in existing capillaries, since light microscopy showed no significant change in the frequency of capillaries per unit area of retina. Endothelial cell proliferation was evidenced by a significant increase in the number of endothelial junctions. Capillaries with one endothelial function were most severely dilated, and their number significantly decreased by endothelial proliferation. Unlike the normal rats, the streptozotocin-treated animals showed no significant correlation between the mean lumen area and the number of endothelial junctions. The increase in size of the capillaries and their lumens was expected to reduce the width of the capillary walls. The thickness of capillary basement membrane was reduced as expected. However, the observed capillary wall width remained within normal limits, due to both capillary proliferation and endothelial swelling. In addition, some interesting qualitative alterations were observed in mural cells, neurons, and the endothelial junctions.

Key Words: streptozotocin treatment • short term diabetes mellitus • quantitative electron microscopy • retinal capillaries • dilatation • endothelial cell proliferation and swelling • endothelial junctions

Submitted on May 31, 1972
Accepted on August 25, 1972




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J. Troger, S. Neyer, C. Heufler, H. Huemer, E. Schmid, U. Griesser, M. Kralinger, B. Kremser, I. Baldissera, and G. Kieselbach
Substance P and Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide in the Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rat Retina
Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., April 1, 2001; 42(5): 1045 - 1050.
[Abstract] [Full Text]


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