Mechanism of retinal ganglion cells apoptosis in the diet-induced obese C57BL/6 mice

Abstract:

AIM: To investigate the mechanism of retinal ganglion cells(RGCs)apoptosis in the diet-induced obese C57BL/6 mice.

METHODS: Mice were fed high-fat diet. After 19 weeks of feeding, the mice were divided into diet induced obesity-resistant(DIO-R)group and diet induced obesity(DIO)group, while mice of the control(CON)group were fed a basal diet at the same time. The apoptosis of RGCs was detected by TUNEL. Laser scanning confocal microscope was used to detect the intracellular calcium ion concentration.

RESULTS: TUNEL staining showed apoptosis cells in ganglion cell layer(GCL)in DIO group increased and the percentage of apoptotic cells was(6.7±1.2)% which was much higher than in CON and DIO-R groups(P<0.01, P<0.05). There was no significant difference between CON group and DIO-R group(P>0.05). Laser scanning confocal microscope detection showed Ca²⁺ staining intensity of RGCs in DIO group increased and its staining intensity was significantly higher than in CON and DIO-R mice(P<0.01,P<0.01), whereas there was no significant difference between CON group and DIO-R group(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: Intracellular calcium ion overload might be involved in the RGCs apoptosis in the diet-induced obese C57BL/6 mice.