Effects of Docosahexaenoic Acid in Preventing Experimental Choroidal Neovascularization in Rodents.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a major omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acid (ω-3-PUFAs), in the development of experimental choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in rodents.


METHODS
Experimental second generation Long Evans rats fed with diets of varying ω-3-PUFA content designed to produce significantly different retinal DHA levels were used in our studies. A transgenic mouse model (fat-1) engineered to over-produce DHA was also studied. CNV was induced by rupture of Bruch's membrane using laser photocoagulation. At 7 days after induction, animals were euthanatized, and eyes were collected. RPE/choroid flatmounts were labeled with isolectin IB4 to determine CNV lesion volumes using confocal microscopy and high-performance 3D imaging software.


RESULTS
The median of CNV complex volumes of animals with DHA-adequate diets was lower by 63% relative to that of animals with DHA-deficient diets. The median of CNV complex volumes infat-1transgenic mice was decreased by 59% relative to that of wild type controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Dietary intake or genetic manipulation to increase the sources of DHA significantly diminished the volume of induced CNV lesions in rodents. They suggest that consumption of ω-3-PUFAs may serve to prevent CNV.
Section of Protein Structure and Function, Laboratory of Retinal Cell and Molecular Biology, USA.
Sara
S
Moghaddam-Taaheri
Section of Protein Structure and Function, Laboratory of Retinal Cell and Molecular Biology, USA ; Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Eye Institute, NIH, USA.
Monica
M
Agarwal
Section of Protein Structure and Function, Laboratory of Retinal Cell and Molecular Biology, USA.
Juan
J
Amaral
National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, USA.
Irina
I
Fedorova
Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Eye Institute, NIH, USA.
Elvira
E
Agrón
National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, USA.
Norman
N
Salem
Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Eye Institute, NIH, USA.
Emily
E
Chew
Section of Protein Structure and Function, Laboratory of Retinal Cell and Molecular Biology, USA.
S Patricia
SP
Becerra
Choroidal neovascularization; DHA; Diet; Fat-1; Laser-induced CNV; Omega-3 fatty acids