Abstract:Objective To investigate the effect of phospho-epidermal growth factor receptor (pEGFR) on skin lesions of diabetic rats. Methods Eighty SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group and diabetic model group. Sugar content and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) of skin tissue were detected at the 3rd day, 1st week, 2nd week, 4th week and 8th week post insults. The expression of pEGFR in the skin was measured by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Histological change of skin was observed. Result Diabetic rats experienced yellow and dark hair and weight loss. The sugar content and AGEs of the skin tissue was increased significantly in diabetic group at the 2nd, 4th and 8th week post modeling procedure (P < 0.05) when compared with normal control group. Immunohistochemistry results showed expression of pEGFR in cell membranes, cytoplasm and nucleus of skin tissue in diabetic rats. Western blotting suggested decreased expression of pEGFR at the 4th and 8th week in skin tissue of diabetic group when compared with control group (P < 0.05). Morphological analysis witnessed epidermal thinning at 4th and 8th week when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Diabetic rats also manifested phenomenon of dermal atrophy and inflammatory cells infiltration. Conclusion The decrease of pEGFR expression in diabetic skin is probably involved in skin lesions.