AIM: To investigate the effectand mechanism of glucocorticoids on retinal nerve tissue in diabetes mellitu(DM)rats.

METHODS: The DM model was established by a single injection of streptozotocin. Diabetic rats were intravitreal injected with adenovirus vehicle(DM group), or carried glucocorticoids receptor antisense(siGR group), or scrambled nucleotide(scRNA group). Control group(CON group)were normal SD rats intravitreal injected with adenovirus vehicle. Twelve weeks later, the density of retinal ganglion cell(RGC)and retinal thickness were detected by HE staining, and the expression of ROCK was observed by immunohistochemical staining and Western-blot.

RESULTS: Compared with CON group, glucocorticoid concentrations were significantly increased in DM group, siGR group and scRNA group(P<0.01, respectively). DM group and scRNA group showed reduction of RGC density and retinal thickness, and up-regulation of ROCK(P<0.01, respectively). While no alterations was detected between CON group and siGR group(P>0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Inhibition of glucocorticoids in diabetes reverses the expression of retinal ROCK, RGC density, and retinal thickness.