[Proliferation of corneal epithelial cells in diabetic rats].

In order to elucidate the mechanisms of diabetic corneal epitheliopathy, we investigated the proliferation of corneal epithelial cells of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6th months after the onset of diabetes using 3H-thymidine autoradiography. After the 1st month in diabetic rats, histological examination revealed that corneal epithelial layer was thin, and proliferation of corneal epithelial cells was decreased compared with that of normal untreated rats. After the 2nd month, proliferation of corneal epithelial cells showed no difference from normal rats. After the 3rd month in diabetic rats, the attachment of the epithelial layer to the stroma was loose and proliferation of corneal epithelial cells was increased compared with that of normal untreated rats. After the 6th month, proliferation of corneal epithelial cells showed no difference between diabetic rats and normal rats. We suggest that increased turnover rate of corneal epithelial cells may account for increased proliferation of corneal epithelial cells in diabetic rats during the 3rd month.