Changes in Hippocampal Capillaries in Transgenic Type 2 Diabetic Mice: A Stereological Investigation.

The cognitive dysfunction associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been widely studied, and many structures in the hippocampus, such as neurons and synapses, have been shown to play a crucial role in the cognitive decline. However, the mechanism of these changes remains unknown. To further explore this issue, we investigated the changes in the blood supply of the hippocampus in transgenic T2DM mice. In the current study, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and unbiased stereological methods were utilized to research the effects of T2DM on hippocampal capillaries of transgenic db/db mice. Twenty (Leprdb ) mut/mut mice and twenty (Leprdb ) wt/wt mice were used in this study. The learning and memory ability was appraised by Morris water maze test. We found that in hippocampus of diabetic mice, the total capillary length were significantly decreased than those of control mouse, while the total capillary volume and total capillary surface had no significant difference between control and diabetes group. Meanwhile, compared to control group, the total length of fine capillaries have significantly decreased, and the large diameter capillaries expanded significantly in the diabetic group. The proof of changes in the total length and the length changes among different diameter of capillaries in hippocampus of transgenic T2DM mouse was provided for the first time in current study. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.