Evidence on oleic acid and EPA + 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 bloodretinal
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.