In vivo assessment of diabetic lenses using dynamic light scattering

One of the most threatening aspects of diabetes mellitus is the development of visual impairment. For example, cataracts are 1.6 times more common in people with diabetes than in those without diabetes. Cataract extraction is the only treatment. In many cases, diabetes-related ocular pathologies go undiagnosed until visual function is compromised. This paper compares and contrasts the ocular changes observed using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and conventional ophthalmic techniques during long-term maintenance of the sand rat (Psammomys obesus) on a high caloric diet. P. obesus is a wild rodent in the subfamily Gerbillinae that inhabits the desert areas of the Middle East and Africa. This animal is unique in that it develops mild to moderate obesity, hyperglycemia, pancreatic atrophy, impaired renal function, ketoacidosis, vision loss, and other diabetic complications when it consumes a high caloric diet. In this study, five animals were fed Purina sand rat chow and thus served as normal control animals. Five animals were fed a commercially prepared rodent diet (Purina 5002) consisting of only 4-5% fiber and a grain-based rabbit supplement (BioServe Rabbit Stix Appetite Stimulant) consisting of 50% carbohydrate to provide a high caloric (diabetogenic) diet and thus induce diabetes. Blood samples for the biochemical analyses, DLS, and other optical examinations were obtained on alternate weeks. Our preliminary results have demonstrated subtle changes in the lens of the diabetic sand rats as early as 2 months on a diabetogenic diet. This is an ongoing joint project with Food and Drug Administration and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. This technique is proving to be a practical, sensitive, noninvasive diagnostic tool useful for the early detection of ocular pathologies and understanding the mechanism of cataract formation.