Effects of simvastatin on retinal structure and function of a high-fat atherogenic mouse model of thickened bruch's membrane

Abstract

PURPOSE. To determine the effect of a statin (simvastatin) on the ultrastructure and function of the RPE, Bruch's membrane (BM), and photoreceptor interface in a high-fat atherogenic mouse model of thickened BM. METHODS. Wild-type C57BL/6 mice (6-weeks old) were divided into three study groups according to their diet and treatment given; Group 1, normal chow diet-fed mice; Group 2, high fat diet (HFD) fed mice; and Group 3, HFD-fed mice treated with simvastatin daily for 30 weeks. All mice were followed-up for 30 weeks. The retinal morphology and function was examined in vivo using fundus imaging and electroretinography at 15- and 30-weeks followup. At the end of the study, at 36 weeks of ag..