Vitamin D rejuvenates aging eyes by reducing inflammation, clearing amyloid beta and improving visual function.
Vitamin D(3) plays a key role in immune regulation and may protect against the aging process. A focal point for age-related changes is the outer retina of the eye where there is high metabolic demand resulting in a gradual increase in extracellular deposition, inflammation, and cell loss giving rise to visual decline. Here, we demonstrate that vitamin D(3) administration for only 6 weeks in aged mice significantly impacts on this aging process. Treated mice showed significant reductions in retinal inflammation and levels of amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation, which is a hallmark of aging. They also had significant reductions in retinal macrophage numbers and marked shifts in their morphology. These changes were reflected in a significant improvement in visual function, revealing that vitamin D(3) is a route to avoiding the pace of age-related visual decline. Excess amyloid beta deposition and inflammation are risk factors leading to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the largest cause of blindness in those older than 50 years in developed countries. Recently, vitamin D(3) has been linked epidemiologically to protection against age-related macular degeneration. Hence, vitamin D(3) enrichment is likely to represent a beneficial route for those at risk.
University College London, Institute of Ophthalmology, UK.
Vivian
V
Lee
Elissa
E
Rekhi
Jaimie
J
Hoh Kam
Glen
G
Jeffery
D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D012173:Retinitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000187:drug effects
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D002762:Cholecalciferol