Reduced pericyte and tight junction coverage in old diabetic rats are associated with hyperglycemia-induced cerebrovascular pericyte dysfunction

This study demonstrates that the loss of contractile capability in pericytes in diabetes is associated with enhanced ROS and reduced ATP production. Enhanced advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in diabetes accompany with reduced pericyte and endothelial tight junction coverage in the cortical capillaries of old diabetic rats. These results suggest our previous findings that the impaired cerebral hemodynamics, BBB leakage, and cognitive impairments in old DM model are associated with hyperglycemia-induced cerebrovascular pericyte dysfunction.