Accumulation of cholesterol with age in human Bruch's membrane.

  • 1 January 2001
    • journal article
    • Vol. 42  (1) , 265-74
Abstract
To determine the cholesterol composition of normal human Bruch's membrane and choroid as a function of age and retinal location. Human eyes with grossly normal maculas were preserved 70 years). EC and UC in Bruch's membrane increased with age in the macula. EC was sevenfold higher in macula than in periphery. Sixty percent of total cholesterol was esterified, and Bruch's membrane EC was 16- to 40-fold enriched relative to plasma. Solid, 100-nm-diameter particles occupied >30% of the inner collagenous layer in eyes >60 years. Cholesterol accumulated in choroidal arteries and in small age-related drusen. Human Bruch's membrane ages like arterial intima and other connective tissues for which plasma lipoproteins are the known source of extracellular cholesterol. Age-related maculopathy and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease may share common pathogenic mechanisms.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: