Zeaxanthin dipalmitate, a wolfberry-derived carotenoid, can delay retinal degeneration in mice modelling Retinitis Pigmentosa mainly through its anti-inflammatory and oxidative stress effects.
Experimental Study Goji Berry Retina degeneration Retinitis Pigmentosa
In the study's methodology, Zeaxanthin dipalmitate (ZD) was intravitreally injected into mice on postnatal day 16. Subsequent assessment of retinal function and structure were made at P25 using visual behavior tests, multi-electrode-array recordings, and immunostaining. The involved gene expressions and their regulation by ZD were delved into through transcriptome sequencing and western blotting.
In the discussion of results, it was discovered that ZD treatment significantly improved the visual behavior of the mice and delayed degeneration of the retinal photoreceptors, enhancing the light responses of photoreceptors, bipolar cells, and retinal ganglion cells. The ZD treatment led to a decline of up-regulated genes connected to inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. The study found that ZD reduces the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and chemokine ligand 2, down-regulates the expression of the inflammatory factor GFAP, and withholds extracellular signal regulated protein kinases and P38, but not JNK pathways. All these findings indicate the potential of ZD as treatment for Retinitis Pigmentosa.
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