The unwounded skin remodeling in animal models of diabetes types 1 and 2

Diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2 are chronic diseases that cause serious health complications, including dermatologic problems. The diabetic skin is characterized by disturbances in collagen metabolism. A tissue remodeling depends on the degradation of extracellular matrix through the matrix metalloproteinases, which are regulated by e.g. the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases. The balance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) is essential to maintain homeostasis in the skin. The aim of this study was to determine the concentration of metalloproteinase 2, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 and the concentration of collagen type 1 in unwounded skin of diabetes type 1 and 2 and healthy controls. The treatment of diabetes resulted in a significant decrease of MMP2, increase of TIMP3 and COL1 concentrations in the skin as compared to the untreated diabetic skin. The concentrations of MMP2 in the skin of treated rats did not show significant differences from the healthy control group. TIMP3 concentrations in the skin of treated rats are not returned to the level observed in the control group. Disturbances of the extracellular matrix of the skin are similar in diabetes type 1 and 2. Application of insulin in diabetes therapy more preferably affects the extracellular matrix homeostasis of the skin.