Polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E in rat rod outer segments during light damage.

Previous evidence suggests that lipid peroxidation may initiate photoreceptor damage induced by constant light exposure. In order to investigate the role of the antioxidant vitamin E in light damage, Long-Evans (pigmented) rats were atropinized and exposed to constant fluorescent light (Vita-Lite) of 10-20 foot candles for intervals up to 5 days. Following light exposure, retinal rod outer segments (ROS) were prepared and their lipids extracted. Retinas processed in parallel for morphological examination showed progressive ROS deterioration and selective loss of photoreceptor cells at 3 and 5 days of constant light. Similar to previous observations in undilated albino rats, constant illumination resulted in the specific loss of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6 omega 3) in the ROS. A novel finding in this study was an increase in the content of vitamin E relative to lipid phosphorus, stearic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid in the ROS of constant light-exposed animals.