Abstract
Purpose: :
to evaluate the expression of markers associated with chronic inflammation in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of type 2 diabetic rats fed on high-fat-diet.
Methods: :
type 2 diabetes model was constituted by a group of 10 female Wistar neonatal rats. Animals received an intraperitoneal injection of 45 mg/kg streptozotocin at day 2 of life. They were fed on a high-fat-diet from week 8 onwards and killed after 2 years of diabetes. A control group was made up of non-diabetic rats. Transverse retinal sections were analyzed by immunohistochemistry using antibodies against IL-17, 15-LO, cPLA2, VEGF and PECAM. The area of positive immunoreactivity in the RPE of the whole retina was measured using the J-image program.
Results: :
immunostaining areas of IL-17, 15-LO, cPLA2, VEGF and PECAM were found significantly larger in the RPE of diabetics than that seen in controls.
Conclusions: :
this model of diabetes showed-up chronic inflammatory markers that are frequently observed in type 2 diabetic patients associated with obesity. It may be useful to better understand the role of high-fat-diet in retinopathy development.
Keywords: diabetic retinopathy • retinal pigment epithelium • inflammation