Assessment of Age-related Histopathological Changes Occurring in the Lacrimal Gland of Aging Wistar Rats

Abstract

Purpose. Wistar rats are often used in ophthalmological studies and in testing substances having therapeutic effects. The condition of the eyes of these animals, as well as other mammals, including humans, in the normal state, pathology, and aging, depends on the work of the lacrimal glands. The aim of this study was to develop convenient approaches for determining age-dependent histopathological changes in the exorbital lacrimal glands (ELGs) of aging rats.Material and methods. Isolated ELGs obtained from Wistar rats aged of 8 and 11 months served as a material of the study. Changes in the structure of ELGs were evaluated using methods of computer analysis of morphological patterns and quantitative data processing.Results. The functioning and state of the ELGs are reflected in their dramatic structural changes and progressive inflammation. Our study proposes a simple way to assess the state of ELGs in aging rats using methods of morphology and computer programs. Using the proposed approach, it was shown that in the period from 8 to 11 months of postnatal development, significant age-related changes occur in aging rats. Changes manifest in the progress of parenchymal degeneration and progressive infiltration of the tissue by inflammatory cells.Conclusions. The proposed method of ELG state’s evaluation can be used in ophthalmological studies, and in particular, when studying the development of “dry eye” syndrome and testing the means of its therapy.