This study aims to explore the effects of long-term high fructose intake (LHFI) on the structure, functionality, and physiological homeostasis of mouse extra-orbital lacrimal glands (ELGs), a critical component of ocular health. Our findings reveal significant reprogramming of the circadian transcriptome in ELGs following LHFI, alongside the activation of specific inflammatory pathways, as well as metabolic and neural pathways. Notably, LHFI resulted in increased inflammatory infiltration, enhanced lipid deposition, and reduced nerve fiber density in ELGs compared to controls. Functional assessments indicated a marked reduction in lacrimal secretion following cholinergic stimulation in LHFI-treated mice, suggesting impaired gland function. Overall, our results suggest that LHFI disrupts lacrimal gland homeostasis, potentially leading to dry eye disease by altering its structure and secretory function. These insights underscore the profound impact of dietary choices on ocular health and highlight the need for strategies to mitigate these risks.
Keyphrases
- genome wide
- public health
- single cell
- healthcare
- mental health
- rna seq
- gene expression
- human health
- health information
- weight gain
- dna methylation
- health promotion
- intellectual disability
- high fat diet induced
- risk assessment
- metabolic syndrome
- body mass index
- newly diagnosed
- fatty acid
- climate change
- optical coherence tomography