Localisation of Aquaporin-1 In Diabetic Rat Retina and Ciliary Body

Aim: Aquaporins are membrane water channels that play critical roles in controlling the water contents of cells. Diabetic retinopathy is associated with alterations in aquaporin water channel expression. We aimed to investigate the distribution of aquaporin 1 in non diabetic and diabetic rat retina and ciliary body. Material and Method: Eyeballs from diabetic and non diabetic rats were examined by immunohistochemistry. H-Score analysis was used for the evaluation of immunohistochemistry. Results: Aquaporin 1 immunoreactivity was found in the ganglionic cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), the inner nuclear layer (INL), inner segment (IS) of photoreceptor layer (PRL) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in diabetic and non diabetic rat retina and significantly increased in the diabetic rat retinas. In addition, epithelial cells of ciliary bodies were immunpositive for Aquaporin 1. No significant alterations were observed in the retinal morphology in the diabetic rats compared to non-diabetic rats. However, the demarcation between the INL and ONL was not noticed in diabetic retinas. Discussion: Our results indicate that Aquaporin 1 immunoreactivity in the diabetic rat retina and ciliary body significantly increases compared to non-diabetic rats. These results suggest that an increased expression of Aquaporin 1 in the diabetic rat retina and ciliary body may be one of the reason for retinopathy.