In addition, using the STZ-induced diabetes rat model, retinas exposed to hyperglycaemia showed significantly increased levels of IL-1ra as well as IL-1β, and their transmembrane receptors IL-1r type 1 and IL-1r type II, compared to controls (28), along with major changes in retinal architecture including compromised BRB integrity, and thinning of the ganglion cell layers (28). This evidence concerns the gene IL1B and diabetes mellitus.