Korean J Nutr.  2005 Mar;38(2):96-103.

Effects of Hyperhomocysteinemia on the Immunohistochemical Reactivity for Vimentin in the Retinal Glial Cell

• Lee I
• Lee H
• Chang N

Abstract

It has been suggested that the elevated plasma homocysteine may lead to retinal dysfunction. We investigated the effects of plasma levels of homocysteine and folate on the retinal glial cells' injuries. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were raised either on a control diet or on an experimental diet containing 3.0 g/kg homocystine without folic acid for 10 weeks. Plasma homocysteine concentrations were measured by a HPLC-fluorescence detection method. Plasma folate and vitamin B12 levels were analyzed by a radioimmunoassay. The response of Muller cells which are the principal glial cells of the retina was immunohistochemically examined using an antibody for vimentin, a cytoskeletal protein belonging to the family of intermediate filament. At 2 weeks, the homocystine diet induced a twofold increase in plasma homocysteine, and a concomitant increase in the expression of vimentin in the Muller cells' processes spanning from the inner to outer membranes of the retina indicating arterial degeneration. At 10 weeks, the homocystine diet induced a fourfold increase in plasma homocystine, but vimentin immunoreactivity in the retinas was similar in both groups. In conclusion, increased plasma homocysteine levels have influence on morphological and functional changes of Muller cells in the retina.

Keyword

homocysteine; folate; retina; Muller cell; vimentin

MeSH Terms

Diet
Ependymoglial Cells
Folic Acid
Homocysteine
Homocystine
Humans
Hyperhomocysteinemia*
Intermediate Filaments
Male
Membranes
Neuroglia*
Plasma
Radioimmunoassay
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Retina
Retinaldehyde*
Vimentin*
Vitamin B 12
Folic Acid
Homocysteine
Homocystine
Retinaldehyde
Vimentin
Vitamin B 12