Optic nerve alterations in apolipoprotein E deficient mice

Abstract

5 páginas.-- El documento en word es la versión post-print.[PURPOSE]: To study the morphologic characteristics of the optic nerve (ON) by using an experimental model of knockout mice for expression of the ApoE gene. [METHODS]: Eyeballs with the retrobulbar ON attached were obtained from 24-week-old mice. Using morphologic and morphometric techniques and light and transmission electron microscopy, the ON characteristics were determined in three groups of mice: 1) wild type mice as the controls (CG; n=15), 2) knockout mice for the ApoE gene (ApoE-G; n=15), and 3) knockout mice for the ApoE gene that were fed a cholesterol-supplemented diet (ApoED-G; n=15). [RESULTS]: The ON cross-sectional area was significantly higher in the ApoE-G than in the CG (p<0.001) mice, whereas no significant changes were noticed between the ApoE-G and ApoED-G mice. Significant differences were noticed between those groups regarding the myelination index. Higher density of intra-axonal degeneration and myelin sheath alterations were found in both ApoE groups in respect to the CG. [CONCLUSIONS]: These results suggest that ApoE knockout mice have changes in ON morphology and myelination.Peer reviewe