Fig. 4.

Diabetes-induced histological changes were suppressed by lutein. Thickness of each retinal layer was measured in paraffin sections after haematoxylin and eosin staining. Original magnification ×400. a Relative thicknesses of IPL and INL, normalised to ONL measured at the same point, respectively, were reduced in the retina of 4-month-diabetic mice, but remained normal in the diabetic mice fed the lutein diet all the time from diabetes onset. b The neuronal cell number in the GCL in one cross-section of the mice diabetic for 4 months was decreased; however, this change was significantly suppressed by lutein. Black columns, non-diabetic mice, n=6; white columns, diabetic mice fed control diet, n=5; grey columns, diabetic mice fed lutein diet, n=5. Values are means±SD. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01