Editors Selection (IGR: 8-2) | International Glaucoma Review #177

Editors Selection IGR 8-2

Basic Reseach: Hypercholesterolaemia

Comment by Daniel Ju on:

12310 Effect of hypercholesterolemia on inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in a rat model of elevated intraocular pressure, Yucel I; Akar Y; Yucel G et al., Vision Research, 2005; 45: 1107-1114

Yucel et al. (565) examined the effect of hypercholesterolemia on inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS-2) expression and oxidative tissue injury in an experimental rat model of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Hypercholesterolemia was induced in rats with laboratory chow supplemented with 4% (w/w) cholesterol, 1% cholic acid and 0.5% thiouracil for 24 weeks. IOP was elevated in one eye by cauterizing three episcleral vessels. These data provide four significant findings. First, high cholesterol caused breaks and discontinuation in focal areas in the outer nuclear layer of retina. Second, NOS immunoreactivity was increased in the outer plexiform layer, inner plexiform layer and ganglion cell layer with elevated IOP, hypercholesterolemia, as well as with both. Third, the thickness of retinal nerve fiber layer in hypercholesterolemic rats was significantly higher than those in control and elevated IOP group. Finally, increased vitreous malondialdehyde levels were detected in the elevated IOP and the hypercholesterolemia plus IOP group.

Hypercholesterolaemia may be a risk factor for glaucoma

The authors conclude that these findingsconfirm hypercholesterolemia as a risk factor in the development of glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON). Further studies are, however, required to determine whether elevated NOS-2 expression and elevated oxidant tissue injury are responsible for hypercholesterolemia-mediated disease exacerbation in glaucoma. Further histological studies should also clarify the cause of retinal nerve fiber layer thickening in hypercholesterolemic rats.

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