To study the structural changes of retinal microcirculation in mouse model of ischemia reperfusion injury(RIR).

Ninty healthy male C57BL/6 mice were devided into normal group and RIR group by using random number table method, 45 mice for each group.The left eyes in both groups were used in this study.The mouse model of RIR was established by perfusion of saline solution in the anterior chamber.The damage of microcirculation was analyzed from different levels of vascular structure and function by retinal blood vessel staining, FITC angiography, histopathological examination, and ultrostructure of retinal vessels was observed with transmission electron microscope.The experimental animals and experimental conditions complied with the Regulations on the Management of Laboratory Animals of Kunming Medical University.

There was no significant difference in retinal arterioles diameter in the RIR group compared to the normal control group (P=0.350). The small veins were obviously dilated in comparison with normal control group (P=0.03) and were in hyper-congestive state.The artery/vein value was 0.76±0.03 in the RIR group, and that in the normal control group was 0.97±0.01, with significant difference between them (P=0.000). The main changes were capillary occlusion, non-perfusion zone formation and other structural changes, accompaning by blood-retinal barrier damage; the destruction of capillary endothelial cells and pericytes and basement membrane thickening were seen under the transmission electron microscope.

RIR mainly results in capillary damage, including capillary barrier damage, capillary occlusion and non-perfusion area formation.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury; Retina; Microcirculation; Angiography; Histopathology; Disease model, mive