Qiang Shen1,2, Eric Muir1,
Edward S. Hui1, Rene C. Rentera3, Timothy Q. Duong1,2
1Research Imaging
Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San
Antonio, TX, United States; 2Ophthalmology/Radiology, University
of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United
States; 3Department of Physiology & Center for Biomedical
Neuroscience, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San
Antonio, TX, United States
Diabetic cardiovascular or cerebrovascular complications are the major death cause of patients with diabetes mellitus. Diminished basal cerebral blood flow (CBF) and impaired cerebral vasodilatory response are two of cerebrovascular complications, but whether diabetes affects basal CBF is controversial. In this study, we investigated these two factors of cerebrovascular complications using the Akita mouse model of diabetes. Quantitative basal CBF and CBF changes during hypercapnic challenge were measured. Global basal CBF was lower in diabetic mice (Akita) compared to age-matched controls. Diabetic mice also had attenuated vasodilatory response to hypercapnic challenge.