Resveratrol protects retinal ganglion cells against ischemia induced damage by increasing Opa1 expression

Abstract

Loss of idiopathic retinal ganglion cells (RGcs) leads to irreversible vision defects and is considered the primary characteristic of glaucoma. However, effective treatment strategies in terms of RGc neuroprotection remain elusive. In the present study, the protective effects of resveratrol on RGc apoptosis, and the mechanisms underlying its effects were investigated, with a particular emphasis on the function of optic atrophy 1 (Opa1). In an ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury model, the notable thinning of the retina, significant apoptosis of RGcs, reduction in Opa1 expression and long Opa1 isoform to short Opa1 isoform ratios (L-Opa1/S-Opa1 ratio) were observed, all of which were reversed by resveratrol administration. Serum deprivation resulted in reductions in R28 cell viability, superoxide dismutase (SOd) activity, Opa1 expression and induced apoptosis, which were also partially reversed by resveratrol treatment. To conclude, results from the present study suggest that resveratrol treatment significantly reduced retinal damage and RGc apoptosis in I/R injury and serum deprivation models. In addition, resveratrol reversed the downregulated expression of Opa1 and reduced SOd activity. Mechanistically, resveratrol influenced mitochondrial dynamics by regulating the L-Opa1/S-Opa1 ratio. Therefore, these observations suggest that resveratrol may exhibit potential as a therapeutic agent for RGc damage in the future.

Discovering the Protective Effects of Resveratrol on Aflatoxin B1-Induced Toxicity: A Whole Transcriptomic Study in a Bovine Hepatocyte Cell Line

“…Moreover, OMA1 is responsible of optic atrophy-1 (OPA1) cleavage and mitochondrial fragmentation induced by H 2 O 2 , and mammalian cells lacking OMA1 showed protection against this mitochondrial stress [ 121 ]. In agreement with the present results, R reversed the increased mRNA levels of OMA1 observed in rat retina 7 days after ischemia/reperfusion injury [ 122 ]. Again, OMA1 has never been linked to AFB1.…”

Antiviral Bioactivity of Resveratrol Against Zika Virus Infection in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

“…In addition, RES (0.1, 1 and 10 µM) ameliorated the mitochondrial swelling and abnormal morphology in transformed retinal ganglion RGC-5 cells in an ocular hypertension model [89]. Finally, in a recent report, 4 µM RES positively in uenced on mitochondrial dynamics in serum deprived-retinal neuronal R28 cells [90]. Our evidence, together with previous reports, suggest that RES would be a useful addition in ocular nutritional supplements against ZIKV or related avivirus infection.…”

Antiviral bioactivity of resveratrol against Zika virus infection in human retinal pigment epithelial cells

“…This report is a pioneer in demonstrating that RES restored the ZIKV-induced fragmented mitochondrial network to almost control conditions. Recently, it was reported that RES positively influenced on disrupted MD in serum deprived-retinal ganglionar R28 cells [ 45 ]. Overall, we confirm that RES would be a useful addition in ocular nutritional supplements against ZIKV or related Flavivirus infection, as well as other pathologies in which MD and cell death are associated.…”