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Abstract #90662 Published in IGR 21-3
The protective effect of astaxanthin on the ganglion cell complex in glutamate/aspartate transporter deficient mice, a model of normal tension glaucoma, analyzed by spectral domain-optical coherence tomography
Tanaka-Gonome T; Xie Y; Yamauchi K; Maeda-Monai N; Tanabu R; Kudo T; Nakazawa MBiochemistry and biophysics reports 2020; 23: 100777
Astaxanthin (AST), a natural marine carotenoid, possess a wide variety of biological functions. In particular, as a strong antioxidant, AST effectively scavenges oxygen free radicals and reduces oxidative stress. In addition, recent studies have suggested that AST attenuates glutamate-induced apoptosis and cytotoxicity. The glutamate/aspartate transporter (GLAST) deficient (GLAST) mouse is a mouse model of normal tension glaucoma (NTG) caused by both the glutamate neurotoxicity and oxidative stress in the retina. In the present study, we investigated the effects of AST on the ganglion cell complex, indicator of glaucomatous structural damage, using spectral domain-optical coherence tomography. As a result, AST significantly attenuated the thinning of ganglion cell complex in GLAST mice in comparison to an AST-free control group. Our results suggest the possibility that AST has protective effects against glutamate neurotoxicity and oxidative stress in the retina. At present, the only treatment for NTG that is available in the clinical setting is to reduce the IOP as much as possible. Thus, our results suggest that AST supplementation may be effective for some types of NTG in which glutamate neurotoxicity and oxidative stress are involved.
Department of Ophthalmology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, 036-8562, Japan.
Full articleClassification:
3.13.2.2 Posterior Segment (Part of: 3 Laboratory methods > 3.13 In vivo imaging > 3.13.2 Optical Coherence Tomography)
5.1 Rodent (Part of: 5 Experimental glaucoma; animal models)
3.9 Pathophysiology (Part of: 3 Laboratory methods)
11.8 Neuroprotection (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)