Evidence on oleic acid and EPA plus DHA role in retinal antioxidant defense, leukocyte adhesion, and vascular permeability: Insight from hyperlipidemic rat model

The impact of chronic hyperlipidemia on the retinal defense against oxidative stress, the integrity of the blood-retinal barrier, and leukocyte adhesion to retinal vasculature that have a bearing on retinal function have not been addressed. In this study, we assessed the risk factors of retinal dysfunction, and modulatory potentials of oxidation stable oleic acid and highly unsaturated oxidation susceptible EPA + DHA in hyperlipidemic rat model. The results showed that, hyperlipidemia significantly (p < 0.05) increased the markers of oxidative stress (lipid peroxides, nitric oxide, and protein carbonyls) and decreased the activity of antioxidant defense enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione transferase) in blood and retina. Further, hyperlipidemia also enhanced the superoxide generation, leukostasis, and vascular permeability in the retina significantly (p < 0.05). Conversely, dietary oleic acid and EPA + DHA, significantly (p < 0.05) repressed hyperlipidemia induced effects in the retina, demonstrating the retinoprotective potentials of these fatty acids during metabolic abnormalities like hyperlipidemia.