Resveratrol Fights Oxidative Damage in Eyes

HARBIN, ChinaResveratrol can induce the activity of different antioxidant enzymes in the eye, protecting against induced oxidative damage to retinal cells, according to a new study (Mol Vis. ePub 4 Aug 2010;16:1467-74). Researchers from The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University noted oxidative damage acts as a major factor in the development of diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataract; further, as the eye ages, protective antioxidant enzyme systems become less active. The team speculated additional polyphenol antioxidantsparticularly resveratrol, which has been shown in previous studies to upregulate the activity of antioxidant enzyme systemscould protect retinal epithelial (RPE) cells from oxidative damage and cell death.

HLEB-3 cells, a human lens line, were treated with 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 or 20.0 µM resveratrol for 12, 24 or 48 hours. The cells were then treated with 50, 100 or 200 µM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for 24 hours. Pretreatment with resveratrol prevented 100 µM H2O2-induced loss of cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with 20 µM determined to be the optimal dose for pretreatment and 12 hours the optimal time. Administration of resveratrol also significantly decreased apoptosis induced by H2O2. Further, resveratrol increased the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and heme oxygenase.

The research team noted previous studies have shown resveratrol could attenuate processes associated with cataract formation; however, the new trial underscores the mechanism of action against oxidative stress.