[Retinal tissue damage and lipid peroxidation in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis]

Retinal lipid peroxidation products were measured at various stages of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) induced in Lewis rats by retinal S-antigen. Histopathologic examination and measurement of myeloperoxidase, which is a quantitative marker of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in tissue, were also performed. The results showed that lipid peroxidation is closely implicated in the progression of uveoretinitis, and is related to the cellular infiltrate, which consisted primarily of PMNs, and to the retinal tissue damage. These findings may support the theory that oxygen-free radicals liberated from activated PMNs play a role in retinal tissue damage via peroxidation of membrane lipids. To ascertain the tissue damage caused by the lipid peroxidation products generated in the eye, intravitreal injection of an oxidized docosahexaenoic acid, a major polyunsaturated fatty acid in the photoreceptors of the retina, was performed and its toxicity in the retina was proved histologically.