Bks db

We used streptozotocin (STZ)-injected C57BL/6J mice and Ins2Akita mice (C57BL/6-Ins2Akita/J Stock No: 003548/Akita, Jackson Laboratories) as experimental mouse models of type1 diabetes mellitus (DM), while homozygote db/db (BKS/db−/−, Jackson Laboratories) mice were used as mouse model for type 2 DM that develops spontaneous glucose intolerance and hyperglycemia at 4–8 weeks. Heterozygote mice (db/+), which usually show normal body weight, blood glucose, and plasma insulin, but have increased metabolic efficiency were also used for comparison (34 (link)). For STZ injected mice, 6–8 weeks old mice were injected with STZ (55mg/kg, intra-peritoneal) for 3 consecutive days as previously described (35 (link)). Mice with plasma glucose level exceeding 250 mg/dl were considered diabetic. All experimental procedures were performed in accordance with the established guidelines of Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology statement for the Use of Animals in Ophthalmic and Vision Research, and were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of Augusta University. Blood was collected from cardiac puncture in heparinized coated tubes and the plasma was separated by centrifugation at 1,500 rpm for 20 min.