5 research outputs found
Protective Role of C-Phycocyanin Against Secondary Changes During Sodium Selenite Mediated Cataractogenesis
Age related cataract is the leading cause of blindness associated with accumulation of oxidative stress in the eye lens. The present investigation reveals the rational of the beneficial effects of the natural compound C-phycocyanin (C-PC) is beneficial when administered to rat pups to protect against the secondary effects of sodium selenite induced cataractogenesis. A single subcutaneous dose of sodium selenite (19 μmol/kg body weight) on the 10th day of postpartum is adequate to induce cataract in rat pups. Serum biochemical parameters, such as the level of electrolytes, mean activities of anti-oxidant enzymes i.e. superoxide dismutase, catalase and reduced glutathione were observed to be significantly altered during selenite induced cataractogenic process. Histopathological examination revealed signs of degradation of normal cell architecture in the liver, kidney and eye lens. Interestingly, the deleterious effects of sodium selenite toxicity were restored with the simultaneous treatment with C-PC. The results suggest that an administration of 200 mg/kg body weight of C-PC has the ability to prevent/alter the secondary changes reflected in the serum biochemical and histological modifications in rats exposed to sodium selenite. These results complement the beneficial role of C-PC of cyanobacterial origin as a efficacious anti-cataractogenic agent against sodium selenite toxicity
Visual deficits after traumatic brain injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is frequently
described as any head injury ceasing the brain's normal
function. Anatomically, developmentally, and
physiologically, the eye is deemed as an extension of the
brain. Vision in TBI is underrepresented, and the number
of active clinical trials in this field are sparse.
Frequently, visual problems are overlooked at the time
of TBI, often resulting in progressive vision loss,
lengthening, and impairing rehabilitation. TBI can be
either penetrative or non-penetrative, associated with
degeneration of neurons, apoptotic cell death,
inflammation, microglial activation, hemorrhage
associated with vascular dysfunction; however, precise
animal modeling that mimics the extensive visual
deficits of TBI pathology remain elusive. Recent works
in both the diagnostics and therapeutics fields are
starting to make substantial progress in the right
direction. Discussion of current advancements in TBI
animal models and the recent pathophysiological
findings related to the neuro-glia-vascular unit (NVU)
will help elucidate novel targets for potential lines of
therapeutics. Only over the past decade have newer
pharmaceutical and stem cell-based treatments begun to
come to light. The potency for these new lines of TBI
specific curatives will be discussed along with the
review of current blast-induced TBI models, providing
potential directions for future research
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Retinal ganglion cell repopulation for vision restoration in optic neuropathy: a roadmap from the RReSTORe Consortium
Abstract Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death in glaucoma and other optic neuropathies results in irreversible vision loss due to the mammalian central nervous system’s limited regenerative capacity. RGC repopulation is a promising therapeutic approach to reverse vision loss from optic neuropathies if the newly introduced neurons can reestablish functional retinal and thalamic circuits. In theory, RGCs might be repopulated through the transplantation of stem cell-derived neurons or via the induction of endogenous transdifferentiation. The RGC Repopulation, Stem Cell Transplantation, and Optic Nerve Regeneration (RReSTORe) Consortium was established to address the challenges associated with the therapeutic repair of the visual pathway in optic neuropathy. In 2022, the RReSTORe Consortium initiated ongoing international collaborative discussions to advance the RGC repopulation field and has identified five critical areas of focus: (1) RGC development and differentiation, (2) Transplantation methods and models, (3) RGC survival, maturation, and host interactions, (4) Inner retinal wiring, and (5) Eye-to-brain connectivity. Here, we discuss the most pertinent questions and challenges that exist on the path to clinical translation and suggest experimental directions to propel this work going forward. Using these five subtopic discussion groups (SDGs) as a framework, we suggest multidisciplinary approaches to restore the diseased visual pathway by leveraging groundbreaking insights from developmental neuroscience, stem cell biology, molecular biology, optical imaging, animal models of optic neuropathy, immunology & immunotolerance, neuropathology & neuroprotection, materials science & biomedical engineering, and regenerative neuroscience. While significant hurdles remain, the RReSTORe Consortium’s efforts provide a comprehensive roadmap for advancing the RGC repopulation field and hold potential for transformative progress in restoring vision in patients suffering from optic neuropathies