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Abstract #3585 Published in IGR 4-2
Fish oil (polyunsaturated fatty acid) prevents ischemic-induced injury in the mammalian retina
Murayama K; Yoneya S; Miyauchi O; Adachi-Usami E; Nishikawa MExperimental Eye Research 2002; 74: 671-676
The long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic (22:6n-3) acid (DHA) accumulates in rod outer segment discs and synaptic terminals. It has been thought to play an important role in disordering disc membranes and in providing an adequate environment for conformational rhodopsin changes and in modifying the activity of retinal enzymes. The decrease of DHA content in the retina has been shown to affect visual function in monkey. In rat retina, prolonged light exposure has produced reduction of DHA content in rod outer segments. The authors found that, when DHA was administered before ischemia, it diminished pressure-induced retinal damage. The recovery of electroretinographic amplitudes in DHA-pretreated eyes was significantly greater than those in the control eyes after four hours of reperfusion. The histopathological study of control eyes showed cell swelling and cell nuclei pyknosis in the inner nuclear layer after four hours of reperfusion and in TUNEL-positive cells in the inner and outer nuclear layers after 24-72 hours of reperfusion. The DHA pretreated eyes had fewer pyknotic nuclei and vacuolated spaces in the inner nuclear layer and no TUNEL-positive cells for up to 72 hours of reperfusion. The precise role of the polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acid has not been identified in the retina and other tissues. These findings showed that DHA probably prevented sensory retina from ischemic-reperfusion cell damage not only by inhibiting the formation of hydroxyl radicals, but also by reducing the non-NMDA responses or the inflammatory responses.
Dr. K. Murayama, Department of Ophthalmology, Saitama Medical School, 38 Morohongo, Moroyama-cho, Iruma-gun, Saitama, 350-0451, Japan
Classification:
11.8 Neuroprotection (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)
