Fiber structure of optic nerve in cadmium-exposed diabetic rats: an ultrastructural study

This study aimed to show ultrastructural effects of diabetes and cadmium on the optic nerve. We used 52 healthy Swiss albino male rats. They were divided into four groups: control (C), diabetic (D), cadmium, (Cd), and diabetic with cadmium (D + Cd). The diabetic condition was created by intravenous injection of 5 mg alloxan/100 g. Intraperitoneal CdCl2(2 mg kg/week) was given to Cd and D + Cd groups for two months. At the end of the experimental period, animals were sacrificed and the optic nerves were dissected at the front level of chiasma opticum. The tissue samples were investigated by using light and electron microscopic techniques. It was found that both diabetes and Cd intoxication cause myelin disorganization and organelle destruction in axoplasm and cytoplasm of glia. The results suggested that Cd increases the oxidative stress induced by diabetes, by disturbing some enzymatic mechanisms.