Abstract
Purpose :
To determine the pathological changes of meibomian gland (MG) after transient exposure of rat eyelid margin to alkali solution.
Methods :
Filter paper infiltrated with 1N sodium hydroxide solution was applied to the eyelid margin of Sprague-Dawley rats for 30 seconds under general anesthesia, without touching the conjunctiva. Ocular surface and eyelid margin were examined by slit-lamp microscopy. In vivo confocal microscopy and stereomicroscopy was applied to observe MG morphology on day 5, day 10 and day 30 post alkali injury. Eyelid cross-sections were processed for H&E staining, Oil red O staining and immunofluorescent staining for cytokeratin 10, cytokeratin 14, PPAR-γ, Ki67, Lrig1, CD68 and PMN, as well as TUNEL staining.
Results :
After the alkali injury, there was marked plugging of MG orifices, telangiectasia and hypertrophy of eyelid margin, while corneal epithelium was intact at day 5 and day 10. However, 30 days after alkali injury, mild corneal epithelial damage was observed. Degeneration of MG acini was observed at day 5 and aggravated at day 10 and day 30, along with MG duct dilation and acini loss. Oil red O staining showed lipid accumulation in the dilated duct. Inflammatory cell infiltration as well as apoptotic cells presented in the MG loci was obvious 5 days post injury while diminished at day 10 and day 30. Cytokeratin 10 expression was increased in dilated duct, while cytokeratin 14, PPAR-γ, Ki67 and Lrig1 expression was decreased in the acini of injured loci.
Conclusions :
Transitory alkali exposure on rat eyelid margin could induce obstruction of MG orifice and exhibited pathological changes of MGD. Such maneuver may be applied to set up animal model in MGD study.
This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.