Evans blue staining to detect deep blood vessels in peripheral retina for observing retinal pathology in early-stage diabetic rats.

Aim: To observe and compare the statistical significance of superficial and deep vascular leakage in the pathological changes of the diabetic rats retina after the Evans blue (EB) perfusion, and utilize the modified whole-retina spreading method to make the slides while protecting the periphery of the retina.

Methods: The Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. Each group named as the normal groups for 4, 8, and 12wk and the diabetic groups for 4, 8, and 12wk.

Activation of the TRAAK two-pore domain potassium channels in rd1 mice protects photoreceptor cells from apoptosis.

Aim: To investigate the expression of TWIK-related arachidonic acid-stimulated K channel (TRAAK) in retinal degeneration mice (rd1) and further evaluate how TRAAK affect photoreceptor cell apoptosis.

Methods: The rd1 mice were distributed into blank (no treatment), control (1.4% DMSO, intraperitoneal injection) and riluzole groups (4 mg/kg·d, intraperitoneal injection) from postnatal 7d to 10, 14 and 18d; C57 group (no treatment), as age-matched wild-type control.

Elevated expression of TREK-TRAAK K channels in the retina of adult rd1 mice.

Aim: To examine the expression of Twik-related K channel 1 (TREK-1), Twik-related K channel 2 (TREK-2), and Twik-related arachidonic acid-stimulated K channel (TRAAK) in the retina of adult rd1 mice and to detect the protective roles of TREK-TRAAK two-pore-domain K (K) channels against retinal degeneration.

Methods: Twenty-eight-day-old C57BL/6J mice and 28-day-old rd1 mice were used in this study. Retinal protein, retinal RNA, and embedded eyeballs were prepared from these two groups of mice.