AIM:To observe the changes of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)protein levels and the density of dopaminergic amacrine cells before and after the administration of adenovirus-mediated brain-derived neurotrophic factor(Ad.BDNF)into the vitreous cavities of streptozotocin(STZ)reduced Wistar diabetic rats.METHODS:Adult male Wistar rats,9 weeks of age,were injected intraperitoneally with STZ to create diabetes models.Two weeks after the models were established,Ad.BDNF was administered into the vitreous cavities of rats.Four weeks after the models were established,the rats were killed and the retina was removed for Western blotting and Whole-mount immunohistochemistry for TH to observe the changes of TH and dopaminergic amacrine cells in retina.RESULTS:The protein levels of TH and the number of positive staining dopaminergic amacrine cells and the staining gray scale of experimental group without Ad.BDNF were statistically lower than that of the control group,there was statistical difference between two groups.But there were no statistical differences in experimental group with Ad.BDNF and control group.CONCLUSION:In the early stage of STZ diabetic,the administration of Ad.BDNF into the vitreous cavities can increase TH protein levels and the density of dopaminergic amacrine cells in the STZ rats’ retina.