The second week corneal changes in rodents model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Aim: Installation the changes of the microstructural rearrangement of the layers of the rat cornea at the end of the second week of experimental streptozotocin- induced diabetes. Materials and Methods: The research was conducted on 15 sexually mature, outbred white male rats, weighing 120-130 g. Two groups of animals were used in the work: the first group with developing diabetes (2 weeks after administration of streptozotocin); the second group served as control and received injections of 0.9% physiological solution for 2 weeks. Results: Basal cells were located loosely, lost their columnar shape, basal cells of a rounded shape were visualized. The cytoplasm of individual basal cells was swollen and contained small acidophilic granules. At the same time, the cells of the basal layer with lighted vacuolated cytoplasm were visualized. Epitheliocytes of the middle layer of the outer epithelium of the cornea were chaotically located in individual areas, lumps of intensively condensed chromatin were often visualized in their nuclei. Focal destruction of the cells of the surface layer of the cornea and focal layering of fine-grained acidophilic masses in such areas were observed in places. The endothelium of the anterior chamber of the eye was preserved in most areas of the cornea. Conclusions: At the end of the second week of experimental streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus, we established pathomorphological manifestations indicating the initial phenomena of diabetic keratitis.