Visible Light-Induced Lipid Peroxidation of Unsaturated Fatty Acids in the Retina and the Inhibitory Effects of Blueberry Polyphenols

Abstract

The lipid peroxidation of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) in the retina not only threatens visual cells but also affects the physiological health of the retina. In this work, the potential damages caused by daily visible light exposure on retinal UFAs were evaluated via a simulated in vitro model. At the same time, the benefits of dietary supplementation of blueberries to the eyes were also assessed. After prolonged light exposure, lipid peroxidation occurred for both docosahexaenoic and arachidonic acids (DHA and AA, respectively). The oxidized UFAs presented obvious cytotoxicity and significantly inhibited cell growth in retinal pigment epithelium cells. Among the different blueberry polyphenol fractions, the flavonoid-rich fraction, in which quercetin was discovered as the main component, was considerably better in preventing visible light-induced DHA lipid peroxidation than the anthocyanin- and phenolic acid-rich fractions. Then the retinal protective activity of blueberry polyphenols against light-induced retinal injury was confirmed in vivo. On the basis of the above results, inhibiting lipid peroxidation of UFAs in the retina is proposed to be another important function mechanism for antioxidants to nourish eyes.

Molecular Mechanism and Health Role of Functional Ingredients in Blueberry for Chronic Disease in Human Beings

“…Anthocyanins in berries contribute to eye health, especially cyanidin-3-glucoside in blueberry, is a preventive functional food for the prevention of retinal diseases [ 47 ]. Blueberry polyphenols have the retinal protective activity against light-induced retinal injury in eyes [ 48 ] (see Table 1 ).…”

Antioxidant and Anti‐Inflammatory Effects of Blueberry Anthocyanins on High Glucose‐Induced Human Retinal Capillary Endothelial Cells

“…Blueberries are famous for their wide range of health benefits, including ameliorating diabetes, attenuating vascular problems, maintaining endothelial function, and preventing retinal diseases [ 15 ]. Many scientists have reported that blueberry components such as anthocyanins, polyphenols, and pterostilbene can protect corneal epithelial cells against light-induced retinal injury via antioxidative, antiangiogenic, and antiaging effects in vitro, and the bioactivity of blueberries in improving vision has been confirmed in vivo [ 13 , 16 , 17 ]. However, the function of blueberry anthocyanins on human retinal capillary endothelial cells (HRCECs) is still unknown.…”

Cyanidin-3-glucoside Alleviates 4-Hydroxyhexenal-Induced NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation via JNK-c-Jun/AP-1 Pathway in Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

“…4-HNE is derived from n-6 PUFAs, like linoleic acid and arachidonic acid, while 4-HHE is formed from n-3 PUFAs such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and linolenic acid [ 12 ]. These three major unsaturated fatty acids reached about 50%, 10%, and 8% of the total fatty acids, respectively, in human retina [ 13 ]. Due to the structure similarities of 4-HNE and 4-HHE, these two aldehydes showed a number of cytotoxic effects, including inhibition on selective enzyme activity, induction on cell cycle arrest, and cell apoptosis [ 14 ].…”