Expression of TNF-α and IL-6 cytokines in the choroid and sclera of hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

PURPOSE This study aimed to evaluate the expression of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 in the sclera and choroid of hypercholesterolemic rabbits. METHOD Twenty-one New Zealand male albino rabbits were divided into two groups: NG and HG. The NG group was fed a standard rabbit diet and the HG group was fed a cholesterol-enriched diet (1%). The serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose levels were determined at the beginning of the experiment and on the day of euthanasia. Euthanasia of animals in the NG and HG groups was performed at the end of the 4th and 8th week, respectively. The eyes were analyzed immunohistochemically using TNF-α and IL-6 antibodies. RESULTS At the time of euthanasia, the HG group showed a significant increase in total cholesterol and triglyceride when compared with the NG group (p<0.001). When compared with the NG group, there was a significant increase in the expression of TNF-α (p<0.001) and IL-6 (p=0.002) in the choroid and sclera of animals in the HG group. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that the hypercholesterolemic diet induces expression of TNF-α and IL-6 in the choroid and sclera of rabbits.