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NEI 40th Anniversary

Pathophysiology Section

Pathophysiology Section (continued)
Prevention of Diabetic-like Loss of Corneal Sensitivity:

Significant diabetic-like loss of corneal sensitivity, as measured by an aesthesiometer, occurs in 50% galactose-fed rats within 4 weeks of diet initiation. The loss of sensitivity is ameliorated by treatment with an ARI (Figure 12). Currently, this diabetic-like loss of sensitivity is being correlated with possible structural changes in corneal nerves by using novel staining of corneal whole mounts, which permits the maximum visualization of the nerve plexus, including the small leashes (Figure 13), and by employing computer morphometry of digitized images of nerves in untreated and treated galactose-fed rats.

Please see d-link

Figure 12. Preventing Diabetic-like Loss of Corneal Sensitivity: Diabetic-like decrease in corneal sensitivity in galactose-fed rats (- - - - - Symbol for table- - - - -) ameliorated by 3X daily topical administration of the aldose reductase inhibitor CI-112 (— — — Symbol for table — — —), compared to control rats (———Symbol for table———). Original data.

Image demonstrating corneal innervation.

Figure 13. Corneal Innervation:Thin nerve extensions called leashes (L) run parallel to each other and to the basal epithelial cells. They originate from the subepithelial nerve trunks at the point where these penetrate the basal lamina, and they travel at right angles to their nerves of origin, along the epithelial side of their basal lamina. Original micrograph.


 

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