Epidemiology of Glaucoma: The Past, Present, and Predictions for the Future

Lecarpentier²,

2021

IJMS

Glaucoma is a progressive neurodegenerative disease which constitutes the main frequent cause of irreversible blindness. Recent findings have shown that oxidative stress, inflammation and glutamatergic pathway play key roles in the causes of glaucoma. Recent studies have shown a down regulation of the WNT/β-catenin pathway in glaucoma, associated with overactivation of the GSK-3β signaling. WNT/β-catenin pathway is mainly associated with oxidative stress, inflammation and glutamatergic pathway. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotomimetic phytocannabinoid derived from Cannabis sativa plant which possesses many therapeutic properties across a range of neuropsychiatric disorders. Since few years, CBD presents an increased interest as a possible drug in anxiolytic disorders. CBD administration is associated with increase of the WNT/β-catenin pathway and decrease of the GSK-3β activity. CBD has a lower affinity for CB1 but can act through other signaling in glaucoma, including the WNT/β-catenin pathway. CBD downregulates GSK3-β activity, an inhibitor of WNT/β-catenin pathway. Moreover, CBD was reported to suppress pro-inflammatory signaling and neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and glutamatergic pathway. Thus, this review focuses on the potential effects of cannabidiol, as a potential therapeutic strategy, on glaucoma and some of the presumed mechanisms by which this phytocannabinoid provides its possible benefit properties through the WNT/β-catenin pathway.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cannabidiol and the Canonical WNT/β-Catenin Pathway in Glaucoma

Lecarpentier²,

2021

IJMS

“…The etiology of POAG is well-known with mechanical and/or vascular mechanisms. The mechanical process implicates compression of the axons due to increased IOP, while the vascular mechanism shows events in which blood flow and ocular perfusion pressure are decreased to the posterior pole leading to damage [ 5 , 6 ]. Vascular or perfusion dysregulations in NTG show different clinical features, including migraine headaches, Raynaud’s phenomenon, or sleep apnea [ 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lithium and Atypical Antipsychotics: The Possible WNT/β Pathway Target in Glaucoma

Lecarpentier³

2021

Biomedicines

Glaucoma is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that represents the major cause of irreversible blindness. Recent findings have shown which oxidative stress, inflammation, and glutamatergic pathway have main roles in the causes of glaucoma. Lithium is the major commonly used drug for the therapy of chronic mental illness. Lithium therapeutic mechanisms remain complex, including several pathways and gene expression, such as neurotransmitter and receptors, circadian modulation, ion transport, and signal transduction processes. Recent studies have shown that the benefits of lithium extend beyond just the therapy of mood. Neuroprotection against excitotoxicity or brain damages are other actions of lithium. Moreover, recent findings have investigated the role of lithium in glaucoma. The combination of lithium and atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) has been the main common choice for the treatment of bipolar disorder. Due to the possible side effects gradually introduced in therapy. Currently, no studies have focused on the possible actions of AAPs in glaucoma. Recent studies have shown a down regulation of the WNT/β-catenin pathway in glaucoma, associated with the overactivation of the GSK-3β signaling. The WNT/β-catenin pathway is mainly associated with oxidative stress, inflammation and glutamatergic pathway. Lithium is correlated with upregulation the WNT/β-catenin pathway and downregulation of the GSK-3β activity. Thus, this review focuses on the possible actions of lithium and AAPs, as possible therapeutic strategies, on glaucoma and some of the presumed mechanisms by which these drugs provide their possible benefit properties through the WNT/β-catenin pathway.

“…There are two major types of glaucoma (both open-angle and angle-closure on the basis of their anatomy and pathophysiology), and they share the same signs and symptoms: primary, or idiopathic glaucoma, and secondary glaucoma. Primary glaucoma results with no identifiable cause, whereas secondary glaucoma is characterized by an increased IOP that elicits optic nerve damage [3]. Only a few genes have been validated as risk factors for familial glaucoma [4], which is relatively rare.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Only a few genes have been validated as risk factors for familial glaucoma [4], which is relatively rare. Primary angle-closure glaucoma shows a higher incidence of blindness, even though it is less common than open-angle glaucoma [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Potential of Visible and Far-Red to Near-Infrared Light in Glaucoma Neuroprotection

et al. 2021

Alternative treatment strategies are necessary to reduce the severity of glaucoma, a group of eye conditions that progressively damage the optic nerve and impair vision. The aim of this review is to gain insight into potentially exploitable molecular mechanisms to slow down the death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), a fundamental element in the pathophysiology of all forms of glaucoma, and to stimulate adult optic nerve repair. For this purpose, we focus our analysis on both visible and far-red to near-infrared light photobiomodulation (PBM) as phototherapeutic agents, which were recently proposed in RGCs, and on the nerve lamina region neural progenitor cell (ONLR-NPC) niche. Both are suggested as potential strategies in glaucoma neuroprotection. We discuss the impact of beneficial molecular effects of PBM on both mitochondrial derangement and the alteration of ion fluxes that are considered important causes of RGC damage, as well as on the stimulation of progenitor cells. We suggest these are the most promising approaches to prevent excessive neuronal cell loss. We describe the experimental evidence supporting the validity of PBM therapy which, despite being a safe, non-invasive, inexpensive, and easy to administer procedure, has not yet been fully explored in the clinical practice of glaucoma treatment.