Title:Mechanisms of Neuronal Cell Death in AGE-exposed Retinas - Research and Literature Review
VOLUME: 13 ISSUE: 3
Author(s):Guzel Bikbova, Toshiyuki Oshitari*, Takayuki Baba and Shuichi Yamamoto
Affiliation:Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Inohana 1-8-1, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Chiba, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Inohana 1-8-1, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Chiba, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Inohana 1-8-1, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Chiba, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Inohana 1-8-1, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Chiba
Keywords:AGEs, regeneration, neurotrophic factors, JNK, p38.
Abstract:Introduction: Accelerated formation of AGE due to increasing rise in blood glucose
levels leads to developments of metabolic changes, further leading to such complications as diabetic
retinopathy which is a major reason of leading to blindness and affecting working population worldwide.
Background: The results of recent investigations have demonstrated that the death of retinal ganglion
cells (RGCs) and their axons is the common pathological changes in AGE-exposed retina and
the possible mechanisms that are responsible for the onset and progression of RGC death and axonal
degeneration in patients with diseases associated with AGEs accumulation are represented in
this review. Identifying the mechanisms of the onset and the progression of RGC neuropathy can
help in discovering the pathogenetic orientated treatment.
Objective: This review describes recently discovered possible mechanisms of diabetic retinopathy
obtained by laboratory studies with the suggestion that AGEs play an important role in the pathogenesis
of diabetic retinal neuropathy triggering different mechanisms that result in neuronal dysfunction.
For searching therapeutic approach the regenerative effect of different neurotrophic factors
has been studied such as neurotrophin-4, hepatocyte growth factor, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic
factor, and Tauroursodeoxycholic acid.
Conclusion: The findings for the establishment of neuroprotective and regenerative therapies for
AGE-related diseases including diabetic retinopathy are represented in this review.
