AIM:To study the expression of VE-cadherin and pcatenin in adherens junction in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rat retina. METHODS:Fifty healthy adult male SD rats were chosen and randomly divided into normal control(Con), and diabetic mellitus(DM) groups.Diabetic model was established by intraperitoneal injection of STZ.After 2,5 and 8 weeks,retinas were separated and vascular permeability was quantified by albumin leakage from blood vessels into the retina using the Evans blue method.VE-cadherin andβ-catenin expression was measured in rat retinas using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. RESULTS:Retinal vascular permeability was increased in the 2-,5- and 8-week diabetic retina respectively, compared with that in the controls(P<0.05).The localization of the expression of VE-cadherin was observed in retinal vessels of diabetic rats by immunohistochemistry. The allocation of the expresson ofβ-catenin was observed in external limiting membrane,outer nuclear layer,outer plexiform layer,inner plexiform layer,internal limiting membrane and microvessel of rat retinas.The expression of VE-cadherin was significantly decreased in STZ-induced diabetic rat retinas with the progression of diabetes.The expression ofβ-catenin was significantly increased in STZ-induced diabetic rat retinas with the progression of diabetes. CONCLUSION:The expression of VE-cadherin is decreased and that ofβ-catenin is increased in DM.