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High-Fat Diet-Induced Functional and Pathologic Changes in Lacrimal Gland
Xin He1, Zhongyang Zhao1, Shaopan Wang1
1Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China; School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
The American Journal of Pathology
|September 13, 2020
Summary
A high-fat diet significantly reduces tear secretion and damages lacrimal glands in mice. Dietary changes or fenofibrate treatment partially reversed these negative effects, suggesting diet impacts dry eye disease.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Endocrinology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The lacrimal gland maintains ocular surface homeostasis by secreting tears.
- Systemic diseases like Sjögren syndrome and diabetes can impair lacrimal gland function, leading to dry eye.
- Hyperlipidemia's specific impact on lacrimal gland function requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemia affects lacrimal gland function and ocular surface homeostasis.
- To explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying HFD-induced lacrimal gland dysfunction.
- To assess the therapeutic potential of dietary intervention and fenofibrate in mitigating HFD-induced damage.
Main Methods:
- A high-fat diet (HFD) mouse model was utilized to induce hyperlipidemia and evaluate lacrimal gland function.
- Tear secretion, lipid accumulation, gene expression, mitochondrial morphology, apoptosis, and cell proliferation were assessed.
- Intervention strategies included switching to a standard diet and supplementing the HFD with fenofibrate.
Main Results:
- A HFD reduced aqueous tear secretion by approximately 50% within one month.
- Histological analysis revealed lipid droplet accumulation, inflammation (increased cytokines like Il1β, Tnfα), mitochondrial abnormalities, increased apoptosis, and reduced acinar cell proliferation.
- Dietary reversal and fenofibrate treatment partially ameliorated these pathological changes and improved tear secretion.
Conclusions:
- High-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemia causes significant pathophysiological changes and functional impairment in the lacrimal gland.
- These findings suggest that HFD may be a contributing factor to the development of aqueous tear-deficient dry eye disease.
- Dietary modification and pharmacological interventions targeting lipid metabolism and inflammation show promise in managing HFD-related lacrimal gland dysfunction.
