Amelioration of alloxan-induced diabetic keratopathy by beta-carotene

This study was undertaken to assess the anti-keratopathy activity of β-carotene in experimentally-induced diabetic animal model. The rats were divided into four groups as following: G1, normal control group; G2, β-carotene control group (50 mg/kg b.wt.); G3, diabetic group which was injected intraperitoneally with a single dose (100 mg/kg b. wt) of alloxan (ALX) and G4, diabetic rats treated with β-carotene which was injected with ALX as G3, and then received a daily oral dose of β-carotene (50 mg/kg b.wt.) for 3 months. ALX injection caused elevated levels of serum glucose in diabetic group. Moreover, histopathology revealed relatively thick corneal epithelium, ill-defined Bowman's membrane, widely spaced stromal layers and relatively thick Descemet's membrane. Electron microscopic studies showed vacuolated cytoplasm, partial loss of hemi-desmosomes and disorganized collagen fibrils with focal lysis of stromal layer. Oral gavage of β-carotene to diabetic rats for 3 months significantly decreased serum glucose level and ameliorated histopathological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural results. Consequently, β-carotene exerted anti-keratopathy effects and ameliorated the corneal changes in diabetic rats via its hypoglycemic and antioxidant mechanisms.