Histochemical study of structural changes of carotid wall arteries in male diabetic rats

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent disease, which is caused by deficiency in insulin secretion or factors that impair its function. Diabetic hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia are important risk factors in cardiovascular diseases. The arteriosclerosis and its accompanying structural changes are in part due to endothelial cell injury and abnormal glycosylation of cell surface and extra cellular matrix glycoconjugate. These are the first structural changes of formation of atheromatous plaque. The aim of the present study was to identify the structural and extra cellular matrix changes of terminal sugars by histochemical methods in aorta and common carotid arteries in male diabetic rats. Methods and Materials: A total number of 63 male Sprague Dawley rats with 250 ± 50 gr weights were chosen and randomly divided into experimental (n=36) and control (n= 27) groups. Diabetes was induced by IP injection of 60 mg/kg of streptozotocin in experimental group. Experimental and control groups further divided into 2 week, 2 months and 4 months subgroups. Animals were preserved in standard condition. After the mentioned time, samples were taken from carotid and aorta, fixed in Boins and processed routinely. Paraffin blocks were cut with 5-6 micrometer in thickness and stained by H-E, PAS and PNA/Alcian blue pH=2.5, thereafter sections graded according to staining intensity and data were analyzed by NPAR test of Mann Whitney. Results: Results of this study showed significant difference only for PAS positive media components between 2 and 4 months diabetic groups (P