Corneal epithelial basement membrane changes in diabetes. 1981

H R Taylor, and R A Kimsey

The corneas of 12 eye donors with maturity-onset diabetes were obtained, and the corneal epithelial basement membranes were studied by transmission electron microscopy. Similar tissue was obtained from 12 nondiabetic eye donors who were matched for age (within 2 years) and race. The mean thickness of the corneal epithelial basement membrane in nondiabetic patients was 0.33 micrometer (+/- 0.11 S.D.), which gives a normal range of 0.11 to 0.55 micrometer. None of the nondiabetic basement membranes lay outside this range. The basement membranes of four of the 12 diabetics exceeded this thickness. No race or sex difference was seen in basement membrane thickness, nor was a clear trend seen with age. Multilaminated basement membranes were seen in eight diabetic patients and six nondiabetic patients. Multilamination was more clearly related to basement membrane thickness than to the presence or absence of diabetes.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008854 Microscopy, Electron Microscopy using an electron beam, instead of light, to visualize the sample, thereby allowing much greater magnification. The interactions of ELECTRONS with specimens are used to provide information about the fine structure of that specimen. In TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY the reactions of the electrons that are transmitted through the specimen are imaged. In SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY an electron beam falls at a non-normal angle on the specimen and the image is derived from the reactions occurring above the plane of the specimen. Electron Microscopy
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D003315 Cornea The transparent anterior portion of the fibrous coat of the eye consisting of five layers: stratified squamous CORNEAL EPITHELIUM; BOWMAN MEMBRANE; CORNEAL STROMA; DESCEMET MEMBRANE; and mesenchymal CORNEAL ENDOTHELIUM. It serves as the first refracting medium of the eye. It is structurally continuous with the SCLERA, avascular, receiving its nourishment by permeation through spaces between the lamellae, and is innervated by the ophthalmic division of the TRIGEMINAL NERVE via the ciliary nerves and those of the surrounding conjunctiva which together form plexuses. (Cline et al., Dictionary of Visual Science, 4th ed) Corneas
D003920 Diabetes Mellitus A heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by HYPERGLYCEMIA and GLUCOSE INTOLERANCE.
D004848 Epithelium The layers of EPITHELIAL CELLS which cover the inner and outer surfaces of the cutaneous, mucus, and serous tissues and glands of the body. Mesothelium,Epithelial Tissue,Mesothelial Tissue,Epithelial Tissues,Mesothelial Tissues,Tissue, Epithelial,Tissue, Mesothelial,Tissues, Epithelial,Tissues, Mesothelial
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly

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