Relationship of polymorphonuclear leukocytes to capillary dropout in the human diabetic choroid

摘要: Capillary dropout is an initial event in diabetic retinopathy, but the etiology unknown. Recent evidence suggests that similar events may occur choroid. We have developed a method to evaluate relationship between polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and capillary human choroid using alkaline phosphatase (APase) histochemistry label blood vessels nonspecific esterase activity identify PMNs. The number distribution of PMNs nondiabetic choroidal capillaries (choriocapillaris) were analyzed flat perspective tissue then embedded glycol methacrylate for histological sectioning. total was increased within choriocapillaris five eyes (170.9 +/- 12.9 PMNs/mm2 choroid) compared with (84.2 16.9 PMNs/mm2; P < 0.001). almost always vessel lumens not interstitial tissue. In choroid, numbers present areas pathological changes (loss APase neovascularization) nonpathological (205.1 46.9 versus 152.3 23.4 areas; often queued up capillaries, demonstrating loss activity. observed control choroids, associated activity, which related viable endothelial cells. results suggest contribute vaso-occlusive processes cell injury