Purpose: To explore the leukocytic functions in adhesion, stacking and causing microcirculatory disorder in retinal microvessels in early diabetic rats.
Methods: Sixteen healthy adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group and 3 months group of diabetes (STZ) . We carried out morphological observations and CD45 (Leukocyte Common Antigen) monoclonal antibody immunohistochemical studies of the retinal digest preparations.
Results: Morphological changes including capillary varix, irregularity of capillary caliber, was found in the retinal blood capillaries in diabetic rats at 3 months. Further more, the expression of CD45 was significantly increased in the diabetic retinal microvessels, which were found leukocytes adhering and stacking.
Conclusion: Changes of retinal microvessels can be found in STZ diabetic rats at 3 months. The leukocytes were important in the onset and development of diabetic retinopathy (DR).