Inhibitory effect of bucillamine on the increased leukocyte entrapment in the retinal microcirculation of diabetic rats.

Purpose: To evaluate quantitatively the effects of bucillamine on the entrapment of leukocytes in the retinal microcirculation of diabetic rats.

Methods: 13 male Brown Norway rats were injected with streptozotocin (STZ). After the animals developed diabetes, they were divided into two groups.

Characterization of retinal leukostasis and hemodynamics in insulin resistance and diabetes: role of oxidants and protein kinase-C activation.

Increases in leukostasis/monocyte adhesion to the capillary endothelium (leukostasis) and decreases in retinal blood flow may be causally associated and are implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. In this study, we demonstrate that increases in leukostasis are observed in insulin-resistant states without diabetes, whereas decreases in retinal blood flow require diabetes and hyperglycemia. Microimpaction studies using beads mimicking retinal capillary obstruction by leukocytes did not affect retinal blood flow.