Inhibition of 20-HETE attenuates diabetes-induced decreases in retinal hemodynamics

The mechanisms of early diabetes-induced decreases in retinal blood flow have yet to be fully determined. The aim of this study was to explore the hypothesis that 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) plays a role in the early decrease of retinal hemodynamics in diabetic mice. 20-HETE has been implicated previously in the diabetes-enhanced vasoconstriction of mesenteric and renal vessels; however, its role in the diabetic retinal microcirculation has not been investigated. Diabetes was induced by multiple low-dose injections of streptozotocin (STZ; 50 mg/kg for 5 consecutive days), then ∼2 weeks later the mice were administered daily intraperitoneal injections with or without the 20-HETE inhibitor HET0016 (2.5 mg/kg/day) for the following 2 weeks. Non-diabetic age-matched mice were included as controls. Intravital microscopy was used to obtain measurements of retinal vascular diameters and red blood cell (RBC) velocities for the feed arterioles and draining venules extending out of and into the optic disk. From these values, wall shear rates and blood flow rates were calculated. Diabetes induced approximately 30–40% decreases in RBC velocity, wall shear rate, and blood flow rate. These decreases were attenuated to 5–10% in the mice given HET0016. In summary, the 20-HETE inhibitor HET0016 is able to attenuate the retinal hemodynamic changes induced by diabetes.

► This is the first study to investigate 20-HETE in diabetic retinal blood flow.
► Diabetes reduces retinal blood velocity, vessel shear rate, and blood flow rate in mice.
► Diabetes-induced reductions in retinal hemodynamics are attenuated by a 20-HETE inhibitor.