[Animal modeling - efficacy evaluation] - Pathological mechanism of conjunctival injury in diabetes model rabbits

  Objective To detect the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in conjunctival tissue cells of diabetes rabbits fed with high-fat and high-sugar diet plus streptozotocin, and analyze the relationship between the two and conjunctival diseases.

  Method: Twenty Japanese white rabbits with large ears were selected and randomly divided into two groups. The control group was fed with ordinary experimental rabbit feed; The experimental group was fed with high fat and high sugar diet for 8 weeks, and the diabetes model was prepared by intravenous injection of streptozotocin at the ear margin. Two weeks after completing the model production, two groups of rabbits were anesthetized and one piece of conjunctival tissue (2mm × 3mm) was selected from each eye. The conjunctiva of the right eyeball is used for routine pathological observation; The left conjunctiva is used for the determination of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9, as well as the detection of TIMP-1 and TIMP-3.

  The expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9 in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). the="" expression="" of="" timp-1="" in="" experimental="" group="" was="" slightly="" higher="" than="" that="" control="" p="">0.05), but the expression of TMP3 was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The experimental group of rabbits had neatly arranged conjunctival epithelium, significantly reduced subepithelial tissue, loose conjunctival tissue, visible atrophic fascia tissue, loose conjunctival lamina propria cells, and increased intercellular inflammatory cells.

  Conclusion Breaking the balance of MMPs and TIMPs in conjunctival tissue of diabetes rabbits can reduce the production of elastic fibers in conjunctival tissue and loosen the subconjunctival tissue; The pathological changes of fascia atrophy caused the conjunctiva of diabetes rabbits to relax, resulting in changes in the microenvironment of the rabbit eye surface.