Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Su Jin Lee, Yu Jeong Roh, Ji Eun Kim, You Jeong Jin, Hee Jin Song, Ayun Seol, So Hae Park, Bounleuane Douangdeuane, Onevilay Souliya, Sun Il Choi, Dae Youn Hwang
Summary: Natural products with antioxidant activity, such as MED, have shown therapeutic effects in preventing and treating age-related macular degeneration (AMD) caused by reactive oxygen intermediates. MED inhibits oxidative stress, inflammation, and retinal degeneration, making it a potential treatment option for dry AMD.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Chae Young Shin, Sanha Lee, Hong Lan Jin, Xiang Fei, Sang Won Kang, Seung-Yong Seo, Kwang Won Jeong
Summary: In this study, we identified a compound (JS-017) that can degrade A2E and protect retinal pigment epithelial cells from damage induced by A2E and blue light. JS-017 activates autophagy to suppress the expression of inflammatory and apoptosis genes. These findings suggest the potential of JS-017 as a therapeutic agent for retinal degenerative diseases.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Thu Nguyen Minh Pham, Chae-Young Shin, Seo Hyun Park, Taek Hwan Lee, Hyeon Yeol Ryu, Sung-Bae Kim, Kwang Auh, Kwang Won Jeong
Summary: The study showed that an extract from Solanum melongena L. (eggplant) protected against blue light-induced cell death and inflammation in A2E-laden cells, potentially through the degradation of A2E. Chlorogenic acid isolated from the eggplant extract also exerted protective effects. In vivo, administration of the extract reduced retinal damage in a blue light-induced retinal damage model in mice, suggesting a potential role in AMD treatment.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Kah-Hui Wong, Hui-Yin Nam, Sze-Yuen Lew, Murali Naidu, Pamela David, Tengku Ain Kamalden, Siti Nurma Hanim Hadie, Lee-Wei Lim
Summary: This review evaluates the potential therapeutic roles of natural antioxidants in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The literature search identifies various natural antioxidants, including active compounds, carotenoids, extracts and polysaccharides, flavonoids, formulations, vitamins, and whole foods, that may have therapeutic effects in AMD. The study suggests that natural antioxidants have the potential to improve or halt the progression of AMD, and tailoring therapeutics to the specific disease stages may be crucial in preventing irreversible vision loss.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Chih-Wen Shu, Youn-Shen Bee, Jiunn-Liang Chen, Chui-Lien Tsen, Wei-Lun Tsai, Shwu-Jiuan Sheu
Summary: This study investigated the association of autophagy-related genes with AMD using conjunctival impression cytology. Results showed significantly higher expression of GABARAPL1 in AMD patients, indicating a potential protective effect in response to oxidative stress initially but potentially harmful effects in the long term. Further research is warranted to explore underlying mechanisms and critical factors.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Annamaria Tisi, Giulia Carozza, Alessandro Leuti, Rita Maccarone, Mauro Maccarrone
Summary: The study investigates the alterations of RvE1 metabolism and signaling in an animal model of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and suggests a potentially relevant role of this pathway in AMD.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Satoru Ando, Noriyasu Hashida, Daisuke Yamashita, Tsuyoshi Kawabata, Kazunobu Asao, Satoshi Kawasaki, Kazushi Sakurai, Tamotsu Yoshimori, Kohji Nishida
Summary: The study reveals that toxic fluorophore A2E impairs autophagy and upregulates Rubicon in RPE. Treatment with Rubicon-specific siRNA can reverse this impairment, and RPE-specific Rubicon deletion plays a positive role in alleviating retinal inflammation reactions.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Hye-Mi Cho, Ye-Dam Jo, Se-Young Choung
Summary: The study reveals that Spirulina maxima has protective effects against blue light-induced macular degeneration, making it potential nutraceutical approach for intercepting the progression of AMD. The active compound Phycocyanin plays a major role in these effects and further investigation in human studies is needed, particularly through clinical trials.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Hung-Da Chou, Yih-Shiou Hwang, Kuan-Jen Chen, Wei-Chi Wu, Laura Liu, Shyh-Tyan Ou, Webber Liao, Cheng-Chi Wang, Tom Lin, Chi-Chun Lai
Summary: This study found that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) associated with ABCA4 variants is characterized by the accumulation of visual cycle-byproduct lipofuscin. Reducing retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) may reduce lipofuscin production. The study also found that higher levels of RBP4 are associated with the severity of AMD.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hong Lan Jin, Kwang Won Jeong
Summary: Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a progressive blindness caused by dysfunction and loss of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). In this study, a long-term exposure model was created to identify temporally-dependent changes in gene expression induced by blue light and A2E in human retinal pigment epithelial cells. The expression of genes related to EMT, glycolysis, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and inflammation pathways were significantly altered at different stages, providing further insight into the pathogenesis of dry AMD.
BIOMOLECULES & THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Nan Su, Uwe Hansen, Tanja Plagemann, Karin Gaeher, M. Dominik Leclaire, Jeannette Konig, Annika Hoehn, Tilman Grune, Constantin E. Uhlig, Nicole Eter, Peter Heiduschka
Summary: LF injection into the subretinal space of mice leads to activation and migration of microglial cells, increased expression of inflammatory cytokines, and gradual degradation of RPE cells. These features are consistent with those found in an aging retina, suggesting that LF injection could serve as a model for intermediate and late AMD.
Article
Plant Sciences
Hye Mi Cho, Sang Jun Lee, Se-Young Choung
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of ginseng berry extract (GBE) on ultraviolet-induced retinal damage and its underlying mechanisms. The results showed that GBE significantly inhibited retinal damage by activating the SIRT1/PGC-1a pathway, regulating NF-kB translocation, and suppressing apoptosis and inflammation. In addition, GBE restored the thickness of retinal layers and prevented dry AMD in a mouse model.
JOURNAL OF GINSENG RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ryo Terao, Tazbir Ahmed, Ayana Suzumura, Hiroko Terasaki
Summary: Aging leads to a decline in organ function, including the eyes, resulting in age-related ocular diseases. Cellular senescence, characterized by cell cycle arrest, plays a significant role in aging and age-related diseases by altering cellular function and secretory phenotypes. Oxidative stress triggers cellular senescence and age-related diseases by inducing senescence markers through reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Garcia-Quintanilla, Lorena Rodriguez-Martinez, Enrique Bandin-Vilar, Maria Gil-Martinez, Miguel Gonzalez-Barcia, Cristina Mondelo-Garcia, Anxo Fernandez-Ferreiro, Jesus Mateos
Summary: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common eye disease in the elderly population, and proteomics-based approaches are powerful tools for studying the molecular mechanisms of its progression and identifying new therapeutic targets and biomarkers for monitoring. Key factors related to the onset and progression of AMD have been identified, but further understanding of the underlying disease mechanisms is needed for next-generation therapies for late-stage forms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Malgorzata Mrowicka, Jerzy Mrowicki, Ewa Kucharska, Ireneusz Majsterek
Summary: Lutein and zeaxanthin, as xanthophyll carotenoids, play a vital role in the human body, especially in protecting the eyes. Consuming foods rich in these compounds can help prevent eye diseases.