Resumo

TORRES, Rogil José de Almeida et al. Increase of choroidal and scleral MCP-1 expression in hypercholesterolemia experimental model. Arq. Bras. Oftalmol. [online]. 2012, vol.75, n.1, pp. 48-52. ISSN 0004-2749.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0004-27492012000100010.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to experientially demonstrate that a cholesterol-enriched diet induces an increase in the MCP-1 expression in the choroid and sclera. METHOD: New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups: GN (normal diet group) of 8 rabbits (8 eyes) was fed a standard rabbit diet for 4 weeks; GH (hypercholesterolemic group) of 13 rabbits (13 eyes) was fed a 1% cholesterol enriched diet for 8 weeks. Total serum cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol and fasting blood glucose exams were performed at the start of the experiment and at the euthanasia time. After GH 8^th week and GN 4^th week animals were euthanized and their eyes underwent immunohistochemical analysis with the anti-MCP-1 antibody. RESULTS: The diet has induced a significant increase in GH total cholesterol and triglyceride levels when compared with NG (p<0.001). There was a significant increase in the MCP-1 expression in GH choroid and sclera in relation to GN (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study has revealed that the hypercholesterolemic diet in rabbits induces an increase in the MCP-1 expression in the choroid and sclera.

Palavras-chave : Macrophage activation; Macular degeneration; Atherosclerosis; Cholesterol; Choroid; sclera; Monocyte chemoattractant proteins; Animals; Rabbits.