Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ponarulselvam Sekar, George Hsiao, Yuan-Shen Chen, Wan-Wan Lin, Chi-Ming Chan
Summary: In this study, the pathological action of P2X7 in retinal degeneration induced by NaIO3 was investigated. NaIO3 decreased photoreceptor function, caused retinal epithelium and ganglion cell degeneration, and induced inflammatory gene expression in the retina. P2X7(-/-) mice were protected from NaIO3-induced retinopathy. P2X7 expression increased after NaIO3 treatment, leading to cytotoxicity in ARPE-19 cells.
Article
Neurosciences
Luke Gibbons, Ema Ozaki, Chris Greene, Anne Trappe, Michael Carty, Judith A. Coppinger, Andrew G. Bowie, Matthew Campbell, Sarah L. Doyle
Summary: SARM1 is an important adaptor protein in immune responses and has been shown to induce neuronal degeneration in the brain. This study investigated the role of SARM1 in a different model of retinal degeneration and found that it promotes degeneration in photoreceptor cells but has no effect on retinal pigment epithelium.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Reshal Suri, Tapas C. Nag, Nikita Mehra, Yub Raj Neupane, Sadat Shafi, Devyani Sharma, Kalicharan Sharma, Yasmin Sultana, Kanchan Kohli
Summary: This study found that chitosan functionalized PLGA nanoparticles can effectively and sustainedly deliver sirolimus to the retina for the treatment of AMD. Compared to plain sirolimus, these nanoparticles provide better protection against retinal degeneration and have no toxic side effects.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Guojun Wu, Anna B. Liu, Yang Xu, Ying Wang, Liping Zhao, Yukihiko Hara, Yan Y. Lam, Chung S. Yang
Summary: Green tea extracts and tea catechins are effective in preventing or alleviating diabetes, with powder form green tea leaves (GTP) potentially less effective than green tea extracts (GTE). The study found that 1% GTE was beneficial in preventing diabetes development, while 1% GTP may lead to increased food intake and elevated blood glucose. Furthermore, adjustments in gut microbiota were also associated with the progression of diabetes.
Article
Cell Biology
Ming Yang, Michelle Grace Tsui, Jessica Kwan Wun Tsang, Rajesh Kumar Goit, Kwok-Ming Yao, Kwok-Fai So, Wai-Ching Lam, Amy Cheuk Yin Lo
Summary: This study reveals that both the GSH-GPx-4 and FSP1-CoQ(10)-NADH pathways inhibit retinal ferroptosis in RPE degeneration, suggesting potential treatment targets for RPE degenerative disorders.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Sarah Auguste, Bing Yan, Maolin Guo
Summary: Polyphenols found in tea can induce mitophagy in human fibroblast cells, and the induction of mitophagy may play an important role in the anti-aging mechanism of tea.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Tsukasa Orita, Satoshi Chogahara, Mayuko Okuda, Kozue Sakao, Takeshi Miyata, De-Xing Hou
Summary: The extraction efficiency and inhibitory activities of catechins on alpha-glucosidase are influenced by the daily infusion style of green tea, with higher catechin content and inhibitory activity observed in 70% ethanol and room temperature water infusion.
Article
Cell Biology
Tian Zhou, Ziqi Yang, Biyan Ni, Hong Zhou, Huiyi Xu, Xiaojing Lin, Yingmin Li, Chunqiao Liu, Rong Ju, Jian Ge, Chang He, Xialin Liu
Summary: IL-4 exerts neuroprotective effects in retinal degeneration by upregulating IL-4Rα and activating Nrf2, thereby reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael D. Espitia-Arias, Pedro de la Villa, Victor Paleo-Garcia, Francisco Germain, Santiago Milla-Navarro
Summary: Sodium iodate (NaIO3) causes severe oxidative stress damage to retinal pigment epithelium cells, leading to the loss of visual capabilities. This study focuses on the characterization of the retina and visual pathway in an animal model of retinal neurodegeneration induced by oxidative stress, which can provide insights for the development of new therapies for retinal pathologies mediated by oxidative stress.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
D. L. Meneses, Y. Ruiz, E. Hernandez, F. L. Moreno
Summary: The study demonstrated that block freeze-concentration is an effective technique for increasing catechin and polyphenol content in green tea, while preserving antioxidant activity and maintaining physicochemical parameters and sensory attributes.
JOURNAL OF FOOD ENGINEERING
(2021)
Review
Biophysics
Moslem Sabaghi, Seyedeh Zahra Hoseyni, Sedighe Tavasoli, M. R. Mozafari, Iman Katouzian
Summary: The article explores the application of catechins in the food industry, highlighting their limitations in stability and antioxidant activity, and proposes nanoencapsulation technology in a biopolymeric matrix as an improvement strategy.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Acoustics
Rizwan Ahmad, Mohammed Aldholmi, Aljawharah Alqathama, Ebtihal Althomali, Fatema Aljishi, Ahmed Mostafa, Abdulmalik M. Alqarni, Heba Shaaban
Summary: This is the first report to evaluate the effect of natural antioxidants, pH, and green solvents on the yield and stability of catechins during the extraction process from green tea leaves. The results showed that using green solvents augmented with natural antioxidants and at a low pH of 2 resulted in the highest yield and better stability of catechins.
ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Nan Zhang, Xian Zhang, Preston E. Girardot, Micah A. Chrenek, Jana T. Sellers, Ying Li, Yong-Kyu Kim, Vivian R. Summers, Salma Ferdous, Debresha A. Shelton, Jeffrey H. Boatright, John M. Nickerson
Summary: The study revealed that the effects of NaIO3 on mouse RPE and retinal cells are determined by the timing, dosage, and mouse strain. Injection of 15 mg/kg NaIO3 initially induced a large transient increase in scotopic electroretinography, followed by progressive structural and functional degradation.
TRANSLATIONAL VISION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohd Farhan
Summary: Green tea catechins have well-known anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects, with EGCG showing the strongest potential. They can serve as lead molecules in the synthesis of novel anticancer drugs and as natural adjuvants to standard chemotherapeutics.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Parameswaran Gangadharan Sreekumar, Feng Su, Christine Spee, Elise Hong, Ravikiran Komirisetty, Eduardo Araujo, Steven Nusinowitz, Srinivasa Reddy, Ram Kannan
Summary: Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development of AMD, and PON2 has been found to have a beneficial role in preserving retinal function and protecting against mitochondrial dysfunction.
Article
Ophthalmology
Yong Jie Qin, Yu Lin Zhang, Yu Qiao Zhang, Bei Ting He, Sheng Wang, Hong Hua Yu, Sun On Chan, Hong Yang Zhang
Summary: The study found that aqueous uric acid (UA) was associated with central retinal thickness, with higher levels in severe DME and lower levels in mild DME. Aqueous UA was a stronger predictor for DME than the duration of diabetes or hemoglobin A1c.
RETINA-THE JOURNAL OF RETINAL AND VITREOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Yao Yao, Yanxuan Xu, Jia-Jian Liang, Xi Zhuang, Tsz Kin Ng
Summary: This study investigates the regulation of 11 modes of cell death in the mouse retina after optic nerve injury, with a focus on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death. The findings suggest that apoptosis, autolysis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis are the major modes of cell death involved in RGC death after optic nerve injury, while early downregulation of autophagy and phagocytosis also play a role. Targeting multiple modes of cell death at different time courses could be a potential treatment approach against RGC death in traumatic optic neuropathy.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Jing Na He, Tsz Kin Ng, Shi Yao Lu, Pancy Oi Sin Tam, Poemen P. Chan, Clement C. Tham, Chi Pui Pang, Li Jia Chen, Wai Kit Chu
Summary: This study investigated the association between the ANGPT2 gene and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in the Chinese population. The results showed that the SNP rs11775442 was associated with normal tension glaucoma (NTG) in the Hong Kong cohort, while rs13269021 was associated with NTG in males in the Shantou cohort. Further studies are needed to confirm the association between the ANGPT2 locus and NTG in Chinese males.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Chao Yu, Yiwen Ruan, Xiaobo Sun, Chen Chen, Ting Shen, Chunxin Liu, Wei Qiu, Zhengqi Lu, Sun On Chan, Liqing Wang
Summary: One third of MS patients experienced depressive symptoms, which was related to innate immune activation in certain brain regions. Pharmacotherapy for depression in MS patients lacks sufficient evidence, calling for novel treatment approaches. rTMS was found to ameliorate depression/anxiety-like behaviors in mice with EAE and decrease transcript levels associated with neurotoxic reactive astrocytes in the hippocampus. In patients with MS, astroglial activation indicated by serum GFAP levels was elevated in those with depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that suppression of neurotoxic reactive astrocytes may be a potential target for treating depression in MS patients and rTMS could be a therapeutic option.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shi-Qi Yao, Meng Wang, Jia-Jian Liang, Tsz Kin Ng, Ling-Ping Cen
Summary: This study aimed to explore the transcriptomic changes associated with altered axonal growth capacity and identify key genes associated with axonal regeneration. The results showed that gene expression changed following optic nerve injury in embryonic and neonatal mice, and GO and KEGG pathways related to axonal growth capacity were identified. This study provides new data resources for understanding axonal growth capacity.
Article
Cell Biology
Zijing Huang, Jiajian Liang, Shaolang Chen, Tsz Kin Ng, Marten E. Brelen, Qingping Liu, Rucui Yang, Biyao Xie, Shuping Ke, Weiqi Chen, Dingguo Huang
Summary: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major cause of blindness worldwide, and increasing evidence suggests that neuroinflammation, specifically microglial activation, plays a key role in its early pathogenesis. This study found that activated microglia in the diabetic retina triggered an inflammatory response through a process called necroptosis. The key components of necroptosis were highly expressed in activated microglia, and inhibiting necroptosis improved retinal neuroinflammation and visual function in diabetic mice. These findings highlight the importance of microglial necroptosis in DR and suggest it as a potential therapeutic target for early stage intervention.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Chuhua Zhang, Yun Wang, Yun Chen, Hui Zhou, Qiuxia Hong, Xiuying Yu, Tsz Kin Ng, Ling-Ping Cen
Summary: This study aimed to characterize the clinical manifestations and visual outcomes of patients with acute-onset Vogt-Koyanagi Harada (VKH) disease in southern China. The study found that posterior uveitis was the typical initial manifestation in Chinese VKH patients during the acute phase, followed by mild anterior uveitis. Most patients showed significant visual improvement after receiving systemic corticosteroid therapy in the acute phase. Detecting the clinical features at the initial onset of VKH could facilitate early treatment and better vision improvement.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lin Du, Bo Man Ho, Linbin Zhou, Yolanda Wong Ying Yip, Jing Na He, Yingying Wei, Clement C. Tham, Sun On Chan, Andrew V. Schally, Chi Pui Pang, Jian Li, Wai Kit Chu
Summary: GHRH-R is an important regulator of Th17 cell differentiation and is involved in Th17 cell-mediated autoimmune ocular and neural inflammation. Its activation of the JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway enhances the phosphorylation of STAT3 and promotes the differentiation of pathogenic Th17 cells.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tsz Kin Ng, Kai On Chu, Chi Chiu Wang, Chi Pui Pang
Summary: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness and visual impairment worldwide, with over 80 million affected individuals. The main pathogenesis of glaucoma involves oxidative stress and inflammation-induced neurodegeneration of retinal ganglion cells, which have limited regenerative capacity. Currently, there is a lack of clinically effective treatments to rescue the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells. Green tea catechins, with their proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, offer potential as a treatment to ameliorate retinal ganglion cell degeneration. This review summarizes the chemistry, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic properties, and clinical potentials of green tea catechins for glaucoma treatment.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jianhao Cai, Cangeng Xu, Tsz Kin Ng, Zeyi Li
Summary: This study used in vivo confocal microscopy to investigate the microscopic structure and characteristics of nevi on the conjunctiva of the lacrimal caruncle. Four patients with nevi were evaluated using in vivo confocal microscopy before surgery, and the results were compared with histopathological analyses. The results showed that the nevi were located on the conjunctiva of the lacrimal caruncle, with a slightly nodular surface, mixed black and brown color, and clear boundary. The nevi cells were observed to be clustered in nests with irregular boundaries under in vivo confocal microscopy.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Xin Wen, Tsz Kin Ng, Qingping Liu, Zhenggen Wu, Guihua Zhang, Mingzhi Zhang
Summary: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a microvascular ocular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM) that can cause irreversible blindness and visual impairment. This study aimed to identify the metabolomics signature in tears collected from Chinese type-2 DM patients with DR.
Article
Ophthalmology
Zhen Qian, Ke Zheng, Yanxuan Xu, Si Chen, Shaowan Chen, Jiajian Liang, Yingjie Cao, Tsz Kin Ng, Kunliang Qiu
Summary: This study evaluated the structural changes in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in EAE mice using in vivo imaging, providing a platform for monitoring RGC treatment outcomes.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhenggen Wu, Chukai Huang, Yuqian Zheng, Xiang-Ling Yuan, Shaowan Chen, Yanxuan Xu, Li Jia Chen, Chi Pui Pang, Mingzhi Zhang, Tsz Kin Ng
Summary: This study aimed to fine map the association pattern of the FOXC1 locus with POAG and determine the correlations of FOXC1, ABCA1, and CAV1 variants with ocular and lipidemic parameters in the southern Chinese population. It was found that variants in FOXC1 and ABCA1 were significantly associated with POAG, and different genotypes affected lipid profiles.
MOLECULAR GENETICS AND GENOMICS
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Zijing Huang, Wai Kit Chu, Tsz Kin Ng, Shaolang Chen, Jiajian Liang, Chong-Bo Chen, Yanxuan Xu, Biyao Xie, Shuping Ke, Qingping Liu, Weiqi Chen, Dingguo Huang
Summary: The study suggests that nattokinase (NK) has therapeutic potential for early diabetic retinopathy (DR) by improving the blood-retinal barrier function, protecting retinal neurons and inhibiting inflammation caused by diabetes.
JOURNAL OF DIABETES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jian-Feng Yang, Yun Wang, Lingling Zhou, Shaoying Tan, Zhanchi Hu, Tsz Kin Ng, Ling-Ping Cen
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using 1% fluorescein sodium for detecting diabetic retinopathy (DR). The results showed that 1% fluorescein sodium was comparable to the regular dosage in detecting DR. This study has high clinical relevance.
