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Diabetic retinopathy features in lund MetS rats
María José Canz1, Julia Baguña-Torres2, Jordi Huerta3
1Ophthalmology Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.
Experimental Eye Research
|February 9, 2025
Summary
Diabetic Lund MetS rats show early signs of diabetic eye disease, including retinal neurodegeneration and neurovascular dysfunction, mirroring human diabetic retinopathy.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Metabolic Syndrome Research
- Animal Models
Background:
- The Lund MetS rat (LM rat) is a novel model with leptin receptor deficiency (LepR-/-).
- Male LM rats develop metabolic abnormalities resembling human metabolic syndrome, including type 2 diabetes.
- The development of diabetic retinopathy in this model remains uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pathological features of diabetic retinopathy in male LM rats.
- To analyze retinal changes associated with diabetes in this specific animal model.
Main Methods:
- Histological and immunohistochemical analysis of retinas from 15- and 30-week-old male LM rats.
- Gene and protein expression analysis to assess vasculopathy, inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurodegeneration.
- Comparison between diabetic and non-diabetic LM rats.
Main Results:
- Diabetic LM rats, particularly at 30 weeks, exhibited decreased retinal thickness and loss of retinal ganglion cells and photoreceptors.
- Elevated expression of VEGF-A and vascular genes (Endra, Icam-1, Vcam-1, Endrb) indicated neurovascular dysfunction.
- Evidence of reactive gliosis, microglial infiltration, increased inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-18, IL-6), and oxidative stress (Sod2, 8-OHdG) was observed.
Conclusions:
- Diabetic LM rats display early neurodegenerative changes in the retina.
- The model replicates key neurovascular and inflammatory features of human diabetic retinopathy.
- LM rats serve as a valuable model for studying diabetic eye disease progression.
