Expression of TNF-α and IL-6 cytokines in the choroid and sclera of hypercholesterolemic rabbits

• Published in: Arquivos brasileiros de oftalmologia 2014-05, Vol.77 (3), p.168-172
• Main Authors: Torres, Rogil José de Almeida, Luchini, Andrea, Barberini, Lucas Younes, Precoma, Leonardo, Torres, Caroline Luzia de Almeida, Torres, Robson Antonio de Almeida, Noronha, Lucia de, Erbano, Bruna Olandoski, Casella, Antonio Marcelo Barbante, Precoma, Dalton Bertolim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Cholesterol, Dietary; Choroid - metabolism; Choroid - pathology; Disease Models, Animal; Hypercholesterolemia - metabolism; Immunohistochemistry; Interleukin-6 - analysis; Interleukin-6 - metabolism; Macular Degeneration - metabolism; Male; Rabbits; Reference Values; Sclera - metabolism; Sclera - pathology; Time Factors; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - analysis; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha - metabolism; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - analysis; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - metabolism
• ISSN: 0004-2749; 1678-2925
• DOI: 10.5935/0004-2749.20140043

This study aimed to evaluate the expression of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 in the sclera and choroid of hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Twenty-one New Zealand male albino rabbits were divided into two groups: NG and HG. The NG group was fed a standard rabbit diet and the HG group was fed a cholesterol-enriched diet (1%). The serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose levels were determined at the beginning of the experiment and on the day of euthanasia. Euthanasia of animals in the NG and HG groups was performed at the end of the 4th and 8th week, respectively. The eyes were analyzed immunohistochemically using TNF-α and IL-6 antibodies. At the time of euthanasia, the HG group showed a significant increase in total cholesterol and triglyceride when compared with the NG group (p