Evaluation of a rat meibomian gland dysfunction model induced by closure of meibomian gland orifices

AIM: To find a stable, inexpensive, and reliable method to produce a rat meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) model. METHODS: We inserted slim guidewires into the meibomian gland orifices of twelve Brown Norway rats and fulgurized every guidewire to destroy part of the meibomian gland. We then observed the morphological changes in the eyelid margin, and compared the data of tear breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer I test, and the corneal fluorescence staining scores at different times (1, 2, 4, and 6wk). We observed pathological changes of the cornea, conjunctiva and meibomian gland, and we used real-time polymerase chain reaction to analyze epithelial growth factor (EGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and Ki67. RESULTS: In the fourth week, compared with the control group, the TBUT of the model group began to decreased (P0.05). The corneal dots were significantly increased in the fourth week when the fusion stain began to appear (P0.05). CONCLUSION: The MGD rat model, produced via electrocauterization of meibomian gland orifices, matched clinical manifestations and cytokine levels. Our research provides a new method of achieving an MGD animal model