Metabolic and Morphological Changes in Rats’ Eye after 7-Days Microgravity Simulation

Abstract

Microgravity simulation in rats resulted to changes in eye lavage content. Molecular subfraction analysis with laser correlation spectroscopy revealed significant differences in the pattern of particle distribution in five intervals: 1.9 -2.56 nm, 4.64-6.25 nm, 91.3 nm, 165-300 nm, and 400-734 nm. Microgravity modeling induced a series of interrelated processes in the retina of experimental rats manifesting in decreasing of total and layer-by-layer thickness of the retina, mild edema, and consequently, the increasing of specific density of neurons. In the inner nuclear layer, the cell density decreased because of the amacrine and bipolar cells. These changes could be explained by relative ischemia of the retinal layers, which are dependent on the retinal vessels circulation system.