Diabetic eye disease changes how light affects daily rhythm genes and dopamine in the mouse retina

A 56% reduction in the total number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunopositive cells was observed in diabetic mice compared to controls.

• Diabetes may alter the expression of clock genes in the retina, with variable effects noted.
• The induction of c-fos and Per1 by light was abolished in diabetic mice, indicating a deficit in light-induced activation of the retinal clock.
• Only slight differences in circadian phase and amplitude were found in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of diabetic animals.
• A reduction in dopamine levels during the subjective day was associated with the decrease in TH immunopositive cells.

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