Inhibitory effect of bucillamine on the increased leukocyte entrapment in the retinal microcirculation of diabetic rats

To evaluate quantitatively the effects of bucillamine on the entrapment of leukocytes in the retinal microcirculation of diabetic rats.13 male Brown Norway rats were injected with streptozotocin (STZ). After the animals developed diabetes, they were divided into two groups. Group 1 (n=7) received fresh drinking water without bucillamine, and group 2 (n=6) received fresh drinking water supplemented with bucillamine (200 mg/kg per day). Rats that were not injected with STZ and received water without bucillamine served as controls (n=6). Four weeks after the injection of STZ, the leukocytes in the retina were observed by acridine orange digital fluorography. The number of leukocytes trapped in the retinal vessels was compared among the three groups.In the untreated diabetic rats, the number of trapped leukocytes was significantly higher than in control rats or bucillamine-treated diabetic rats (P0.05).We demonstrated an inhibitory effect of bucillamine on leukocyte entrapment in the retinal vessels of diabetic rats. Bucillamine may have therapeutic efficacy in preventing the development of diabetic retinopathy.