Abstract: Objective To investigate changes of microcirculation function in diabetic mice. Methods 30 BALB/c mice were divided into two groups randomly, control group (n = 10) and diabetic group (n = 20). Diabetic mice were induced by STZ. HE and immunohistochemistry staining were employed to observe morphological and pathological of pancreas, islet and islet endothelia cell. The expression of insulin and PECAM-1 were detected by immunohistochemistry staining. Cutaneous blood perfusion was evaluated by Moor LDLS, while pancreatic blood perfusion and pancreatic micro-vessels vasomotion were detected by Moor VMS. Results Compared with control group, diabetic mice had irregular shaped islets, discontinuous expression of PECAM-1, lower insulin positive area per islet (P < 0.05), decreased cutaneous blood perfusion and total flux (P < 0.01), decreased frequency of vasomotion of pancreatic micro-vessels and amplification (P < 0.01, P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion Microcirculatory function was impaired in STZ induced BALB/c diabetic mice.

Key words: diabetes mellitus, microcirculation, pancreas