Dynamic Changes Of Ocular Surface In Mouse Diabetic Dry Eye

Objective:As a common chronic metabolic disease,diabetes mellitus is also a risk factor for the development of dry eye.However,the initiation and development of dry eye syndrome induced by diabetes mellitus still remain unclear.Our aim is to explore the initiation and development of dry eye syndrome along with the progression of diabetes,by studying type 1diabetic mouse model induced with STZ-intraperitoneal injection.Methods:Sixty male C57BL/6 mice(6-8 weeks old)were randomly and averagely divided into diabetic group and control group.1,2,4 months after the last injections of STZ or citrate buffer liquid,average weight,blood-sugar level,corneal rose bengal staining,corneal sensitivity,Schirmer test and lacrimal gland(LC)weight were examined,and also accompanied by the analysis of inner correlations.Results:Diabetic mice maintained high level of blood-sugar,and decreased growth of LC weight in 4 months after STZ injections in comparison with even-aged control mice(all at P<0.05).One month after STZ injections,there were significant decrease of tear secretion volume and LC growth rate in diabetic mice when comparing to even-aged control mice(all at P<0.05).Two months after STZ injections,significant decrease of corneal sensitivity and enhanced ocular staining of Rose Bengal appeared in diabetic mice in comparison with even-aged control mice(all at P<0.05).Four months after STZ injections,diabetic mice presented decreased conjunctival goblet cell density,apparent collagen fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration at lacrimal gland.Conclusions:STZ induced type 1 diabetes mice gradually developed various dry eye syndromes,including decreased tear secretion volume,enhanced ocular rose bengal staining anddecreased conjunctival goblet cell density along with the progression of diabetes,which has high correlations with the changes of lacrimal gland and corneal sensitivity induced by high blood sugar level.