Molecular mechanism of the protective effect of lutein against retinal damage induced by blue-light in rats. - GreenMedInfo Summary
[Molecular mechanism of the protective effect of lutein against retinal damage induced by blue-light in rats].
Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 2010 Nov ;39(6):689-92. PMID: 21351632
Xianrong Xu
OBJECTIVE: To explore the possible mechanisms of the protective effect of lutein against retinal damage induced by blue-light.
METHODS: Ninety six female SD rats (8 week-old, 200 g) were divided into six groups: normal control (NC), blue light injury (MC), blue light + solvent (SC), blue light + 0.5 mg/ml lutein (L0.5), blue light + 1.0 mg/ml lutein (L1.0) and blue light + 2.0 mg/ml lutein (L2.0). The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of peroxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) of retina were measured as oxidative stress markers. Neuron nitricoxide synthase and the expression of c-fos protein in retina were analyzed by Western Blot.
RESULTS: The content of MDA increased in the retina induced by photic injury, and the increase was protected significantly by lutein treatment (P<0.05), but no dose-dependent response of lutein on the activities of SOD and GSH-Px was observed (P>0.05). The expression of c-fos protein was significantly higher in the retina of MC and SC group than that in lutein-treated groups (P<0.05), while the expression of nNOS was not significant different between groups.
CONCLUSION: The mechanisms of lutein protecting retina from blue-light damage might be quenching singlet oxygen, inhibiting lipid peroxidation and c-fos gene expression.