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Diet-induced obesity leads to pro-inflammatory alterations to the vitreous humour of the eye in a rat model

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Abstract

Objective and design

The purpose of this study was to investigate if diet-induced obesity (DIO) and subsequent low-level systemic inflammation would result in local increases in pro-inflammatory mediators in the vitreous humour (VH) of the eyes of rats.

Methods

Sixteen male Sprague–Dawley rats were fed a high-fat/high-sucrose (n = 9) or chow control-diet (n = 7) for 12-weeks. RT-qPCR was conducted on RNA from VH cells and a 27-plex Luminex® Assay was conducted on VH fluid and serum.

Results

Increased protein levels for IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-18 in both serum and VH fluid were observed. VH protein levels for IL-13 and IL-17 were also increased. All mediators significantly increased in VH fluid were also positively correlated with percent body fat. Increased mRNA levels in VH cells for an oxidative stress molecule were accompanied by decreased mRNA levels for an antioxidant scavenger, suggesting an antioxidant/oxidant imbalance in the VH with DIO. In addition, decreased mRNA levels for TRAIL, FAS-L and TGF-β, molecules associated with immune privilege, were also significantly depressed.

Conclusions

DIO-related metabolic disturbances disrupt VH homeostasis in a manner that reflects development of a pro-inflammatory environment. Prolonged exposure to such an environment may lead to overt pathologies with compromised eye function.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Carolyn Hewitt, Ruth Seerattan and Jaqueline Rios for technical contributions to this paper.

Author information

Author notes

  1. David A. Hart

    Present address: , 3A22 HRIC 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, T2N 4N1, AB, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Performance Laboratory, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Kelsey H. Collins, Walter Herzog, Raylene A. Reimer & David A. Hart

  2. McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Kelsey H. Collins, Walter Herzog, Carol R. Reno, Bryan J. Heard & David A. Hart

  3. The Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    David A. Hart

  4. Biomedical Engineering Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Kelsey H. Collins, Walter Herzog & David A. Hart

  5. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Raylene A. Reimer

  6. Alberta Health Services Bone and Joint Health Strategic Clinical Network, Calgary, Canada

    David A. Hart

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  1. Kelsey H. Collins
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Correspondence to David A. Hart.

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Funding

This work was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research # RT736475 and MOP 115,076, the Canada Research Chair Program, the Alberta Innovates Health Solutions Osteoarthritis Team Grant, Alberta Innovates Health Solutions, Alberta Health Services, Canadian Institutes of Health Research Banting and Best Canada Graduate Scholarship, and the Killam Foundation.

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The authors declare no competing financial interest.

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Collins, K.H., Herzog, W., Reimer, R.A. et al. Diet-induced obesity leads to pro-inflammatory alterations to the vitreous humour of the eye in a rat model. Inflamm. Res. 67, 139–146 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-017-1102-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00011-017-1102-y

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