Evaluation of early abnormalities of the sensory retina in a hypercholesterolemia experimental model: an immunohistochemical study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to demonstrate the early changes of the sensory retina induced by hypercholesterolemia in an experimental model.


METHODS
New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups: CG (Control Group) was fed a normal diet for 6 weeks. G1 was initially fed a 1% cholesterol diet for two weeks and from the 14th day on a 0.5% cholesterol diet until the 42nd day. The eyes underwent an immunohistochemical analysis with monoclonal antibodies anti-calretinin and anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).


RESULTS
G1 cells and cell elements presented significant immunoreactivity to anti-calretinin. No immunoreactivity to anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein was observed in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has shown that a hypercholesterolemic diet may induce early changes in the sensory retina in rabbits. The anti-calretinin monoclonal antibody was able to reveal calcium accumulation inside the nerve cells.
Torres
Rogil José de Almeida
RJ
Ophthalmology Departmen, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP, Curitiba, PR, Brazil. rjat@terra.com.br
Maia
Maurício
M
Précoma
Dalton Bertolin
DB
Noronha
Lucia
L
Luchini
Andréa
A
Précoma
Leonardo Brandão
LB
Souza
Greyce Kelly de
GK
Muccioli
Cristina
C
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D064032:Calbindin 2; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism*; D064030:S100 Calcium Binding Protein G / Q000276:immunology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D064032:Calbindin 2; D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D064030:S100 Calcium Binding Protein G