Congenital Dyslipidemia Plus Hyerlipidemic Diet Induce Dry Eye Syndrome?

Abstract

Purpose: : Dyslipidemia is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Previous studies have reported conflicting data about the correlation between dyslipidemia and dry eye syndrome. The aim of the present study was to investigate the functional and structural findings of dry eye syndrome in a animal model of dyslipidemia with hypercholesterolemic diet.

Methods: : Male and female LDL receptor knockout (LDLRKO) mice with hyperlipidemic diet were compared with sex and age matched C57Bl/6 controls, with or without hyperlipidemic diet. The animals were anesthetized and evaluated by direct examination, by the phenol red thread test, impression cytology and meibomian and lacrimal glands removed for analysis. Blood lipid profile was also evaluated.

Results: : Body weight was significantly higher in female controls than in female LDLRKO mice with hyperlipidemic diet (P=0.0043) and in male LDLRKO than in female LDLRKO mice with hyperlipidemic diet (P=0.0016). The lacrimal gland weight was significantly lower in female control and LDLRKO than male control and LDLRKO with hyperlipidemic diet (P<0.0001). The phenol red thread test was lower in male mice with hyperlipidemic diet than control mice with standard diet (P=0.0273). Direct examination, impression cytology of the cornea and histological analysis of meibomian and lacrimal glands did not show any difference among the groups.

Conclusions: : The present study indicates that diet profile plus animal sex have different impact on lacrimal gland structure and function. It suggests that various factors are involved in tear film dysfunction in dyslipidemia.

Keywords: cornea: tears/tear film/dry eye • lacrimal gland • lipids