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Updated: Apr 1, 2026
Retinal Pathophysiological Evaluation in a Rat Model
Published on: May 6, 2022
Retinal development impairment and degenerative alterations in adult rats subjected to post-natal malnutrition
Mário Cesar do Nascimento Bevilaqua1, Belmira Lara Andrade-da-Costa2, Renata Lopez Fleming3
1Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho (IBCCF), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) Brasil, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Cidade Universitária, Rio de Janeiro, RJ CEP 21941-902, Brazil; Instituto de Psiquiatria, UFRJ, Laboratório de Pânico e Respiração. Avenida Venceslau Brás - 71-fundos, Praia Vermelha, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) -Rio de Janeiro, RJ CEP 22290-140, Brazil.
Insights
Long-term malnutrition during postnatal development causes significant retinal degeneration in adult rats. This includes altered neurotransmitter release and Müller cell changes, highlighting potential targets for clinical intervention in malnourished individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Central nervous system (CNS) development involves critical events like neurogenesis and synaptogenesis.
- Malnutrition during early development can disrupt CNS and retinal development, delaying key processes such as neurotransmitter expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of postnatal malnutrition on adult retinal tissue.
- To assess changes in endogenous gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) release and degenerative markers in the retina.
Main Methods:
- Postpartum Wistar rats were fed either a commercial or multideficient diet, with pups receiving the same diet post-weaning until PND45.
- Analysis included measuring endogenous GABA release induced by excitatory amino acids (EAAs) and evaluating cellular markers for gliosis, microglial activation, proliferation, and cell death.
Main Results:
- Malnourished rats exhibited higher endogenous GABA release in the retina.
- A reduction in Müller cells with altered phenotypes indicative of reactive gliosis was observed.
- Increased expression of glutamine synthetase and proliferation markers, along with retinal dysplasia-like structures, were noted.
Conclusions:
- Long-term malnutrition during postnatal development induces degenerative processes in the adult retina.
- Findings suggest potential therapeutic targets for malnourished patients, emphasizing the clinical significance of these retinal changes.
Background:
The early stages of central nervous system (CNS) development are extremely important. Key events such as neurogenesis, gliogenesis, synaptogenesis, and ontogenesis occur. Malnutrition promotes alterations in CNS development, including the retinal development. During retinal development, malnutrition can induce a delay in some important events, such as neurotransmitter expression and neurogenesis.
Methodology/Principal Findings:
Postpartum Wistar rats were fed either a commercial diet or a multideficient diet. Pups were breastfed by these rats, and from PND21 were kept with the same diet until PND45. We investigated the effects of malnutrition on adult retinal tissue with regard to (1) endogenous gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) release induced by excitatory amino acids (EAAs) and (2) the expression of cellular markers related to degenerative events, such as reactive gliosis, microglial activation, cell proliferation and cell death. Endogenous GABA release induced by EAAs was higher in the retina of malnourished rats. The Müller cell population was reduced and displayed alterations in their phenotype profile compatible with reactive gliosis. The expression of glutamine synthetase and markers of cellular proliferation were higher in the retina of malnourished rats. Additionally, retinal dysplasia-like structures were present, indicating disturbance in the cell cycle machinery.
Conclusion/Significance:
The current study provides evidence that the adult retina shows degenerative processes induced by long-term malnutrition during the postnatal development. These findings have high clinical significance with regard to the identification of possible targets for interventions in malnourished patients.
