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Corrosion casts and scanning electron microscopy of choroidal vasculature in rats with inherited hypercholesterolemia
1Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Nagasaki University School of Medicine, Nagasaki, Japan.
Insights
Hypercholesterolemia causes significant morphological changes in rat choroidal vasculature, including tortuosity and dilation of blood vessels. These findings help understand vascular changes in various eye conditions.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Vascular Biology
- Histopathology
Background:
- Hypercholesterolemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
- Choroidal vasculature plays a critical role in ocular health.
- Understanding vascular changes in hypercholesterolemia is crucial for eye disease research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific morphological alterations in choroidal vasculature.
- To determine the impact of inherited hypercholesterolemia on ocular blood vessels.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the corrosion cast technique and electron microscopy.
- Examined choroidal vessels in rats with inherited hypercholesterolemia (RICO).
Main Results:
- Observed severe tortuosity, caliber irregularity, and dilation in large choroidal arteries and veins.
- Identified tortuosity and dilation in arterioles and venules, with numerous venular collateral channels.
- Electron microscopy revealed smooth muscle cell hypertrophy and basement membrane thickening in choroidal vessels.
Conclusions:
- Choroidal vascular changes observed are likely linked to hypercholesterolemia.
- Findings provide insights for interpreting vascular changes in hypertensive, diabetic, and aged choroids.
- This study contributes to understanding the ocular manifestations of metabolic disorders.
Purpose:
The purpose of the present study is to determine the specific morphological changes in choroidal vasculature due to hypercholesterolemia.
Methods:
The choroidal vessels of rats with inherited hypercholesterolemia (RICO) were examined by the corrosion cast technique and electron microscopy.
Results:
In 18-month-old RICO rats, corrosion casts and scanning electron microscopy showed severe tortuosity, caliber irregularity and generalized dilatation of the large choroidal arteries and veins. The branch arterioles and draining venules were also tortuous and dilated. The ampullae of the vortex veins were wide, but no arteriovenous anastomoses, crossing defects or obstruction were seen. However, there were many venular collateral channels and venulo-venular anastomoses. The choriocapillaries appeared normal. Transmission electron microscopy of the choroidal vessels showed hypertrophy of smooth muscle cells and irregular thickening of the basement membrane. The RPE and Bruch's membrane were intact.
Conclusion:
These findings indicate that the choroidal vascular changes are probably related to hypercholesterolemia. The results of the present study will be useful in the interpretation of the changes seen in hypertensive, diabetic and aged choroids.
