Influence of high fat diet on severity of choroidal neovascularization and apoptosis in a murine model

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To evaluate the role of hyperlipidemia as a risk factor for the severity of laser–induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and apoptosis in mice. Methods: C57BL/6J young mice were maintained on a high fat chow for 6 months and the control group received a normal diet for the same interval. Diode laser photocoagulation was performed to rupture Bruch’s membrane and after 14 days mice were sacrificed. CNV areas were measured in flatmounted preparations after intracardiac perfusion of fluorescein labeled high molecular weight dextran. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end–labeling (TUNEL) was used to identify apoptosis in cryosectioned eyes. Results: We observed no remarkable differences in the total area of CNV between mice fed either diet. Retinas from mice maintained on a high fat diet, however, demonstrated a statistically significant higher number of TUNEL–positive cells in the photoreceptors and inner nuclear layers when compared with controls fed normal diets. Conclusions: These data indicate that a high fat intake may induce apoptosis of cells from the photoreceptors and inner nuclear layers in the mouse retina. High fat diet, howeve, had no significant effect on the extent of total area of CNV in this model.

Keywords: choroid: neovascularization • lipids