The role of 7-ketocholesterol in age-related macular degeneration / 中华眼底病杂志

ABSTRACT

The hallmark lesions of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are drusen and basal linear deposit which are lipid substances deposited in Bruch membrane or the compartment on the Bruch membrane.There is a prevailing hypothesis that lipid and its oxidized derivant deposited in retina may have important roles in the pathogenesis of AMD.Lipid oxidation products are toxic,may affect the adjacent cells,induce inflammation,and trigger neovascularization.7-ketocholestoral (7KCh),a naturally occurring oxidized form of cholesterol,had been found to be toxic to retinal cells and able to induce chronic inflammation,which may play a critical role in the development of AMD.However the precise mechanism remains to be elucidated.Thus we will make a brief review of 7KCh and its association with AMD.