OBJECTIVE:To investigate the transporting function of subretinal fluid in retinal pigment epithelium(RPE) of experimental retinal detachment (RD).
METHODS: Twenty-seven pigmented rabbits with one eye as retinal detachment model and the other eye as control were divided into 4 groups ,ic. 7 rabbits in each group at random. The Na十-K+-ATPase activity in RPE-choroidal tissue at the detached region in both experimental and control eyes was determined at the lst,2nd,3rd and 4th week after retinal detachment,and also the ultrastructure of the RPE-choroidal tissues observed. RESULTS:The
activity of Na十-K+-ATPase of experimental eyesE[(2.16士1.26)/mu;mol(mgmiddot;h)]was significantly lower than that of the controis[(4.84plusmn;1.59)mu;mol/(mgmiddot;h)]. The degree of decreasing activity was relieving along with increasing of the course of RD. The inward pinocytosis in RPE cells under electron-microscope was found from the 2nd week samples afterwards and becoming obvious along with increasing of the disease course.
CONCLUSIONS:The outward transporting function of RPE was increased after RD,it became decreased along with increasing of the course df RD and the inward transporting function then developed.
Objective
To investigate the relationship between lipid deposition in the Bruch's membrane and the retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)cells and age,and characteristics of lipid deposition in the age-related macular degeneration(AMD).
Methods
Thirty-two normal eyes from dead people aged 20 days to 84 years and 2 AMD eyes from corpses were examined by using histochemistry stains to identify characteristics of lipid depositi on in the Bruch's membrane and the retinal pigment epithelium(RPE)cells.
Results
In the normal eyes,lipid deposition in the Bruch's membrane increased with aging,especially in the macular region.The main composition of the lipid deposition was neutral lipid.AMD eyes were more intensively stained than normal aged eyes,especially in the macular region.
Conclusion
Lipid deposition distributed in the same regions both in normal and AMD eyes in the elderly,which may play an important role in the aging process and the development of AMD.Stain of RPE increasing with aging may reflect the deposition of lipofuscin in the cells.
(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1999,15:84-87)
