title: Retinoprotective Effects of Bilberry Anthocyanins via Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Anti-Apoptotic Mechanisms in a Visible Light-Induced Retinal Degeneration Model in Pigmented Rabbits.
abstract: Excessive visible light exposure can induce damage to retinal cells and contribute to the development or progression of age-related macular degeneration. In this study we created a model of phototoxicity in pigmented rabbits. Furthermore, we investigated the protective effect of bilberry anthocyanin extract (BAE, Table A1) and explored the possible mechanisms of action in this model. The model of light-induced retinal damage was established by the pigmented rabbits exposed to light at 18,000 lx for 2 h, and they were sacrificed on day 7. After administration of BAE at dosages of 250 and 500 mg/kg/day, retinal dysfunction was significantly inhibited in terms of electroretinograms, and the decreased thicknesses of retinal outer nuclear layer and lengths of the outer segments of the photoreceptor cells were suppressed in rabbits with retinal degeneration. BAE attenuated the changes caused by light to certain apoptotic proteins (Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3). The extract increased the levels of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase, as well as the total antioxidant capacity, but decreased the malondialdehyde level in the retinal cells. BAE inhibited the light-induced elevation in the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and angiogenic parameters (IL-1β and VEGF). Results showed that visible light-induced retinal degeneration model in pigmented rabbits was successfully established and BAE exhibited protective effects by increasing the antioxidant defense mechanisms, suppressing lipid peroxidation and proinflammatory cytokines, and inhibiting retinal cells apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Beijing Key Laboratory of Functional Food from Plant Resources, College of Food Science &amp; Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China. WangYongyffs@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Beijing Key Laboratory of Functional Food from Plant Resources, College of Food Science &amp; Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China. liangzhao@cau.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Beijing Key Laboratory of Functional Food from Plant Resources, College of Food Science &amp; Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China. 18201041642@163.com.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Beijing Key Laboratory of Functional Food from Plant Resources, College of Food Science &amp; Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China. 13001994248@163.com.
authors.forename: Xue
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430062, China. chunn2@163.com.|Hubei Key Laboratory of Lipid Chemistry and Nutrition, Wuhan 430062, China. chunn2@163.com.
authors.forename: Qianchun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.affiliation: Beijing Key Laboratory of Functional Food from Plant Resources, College of Food Science &amp; Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China. wangyong@cau.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Baoping
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.affiliation: Oil Crops Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430062, China. HuangFengHong88@126.com.|Hubei Key Laboratory of Lipid Chemistry and Nutrition, Wuhan 430062, China. HuangFengHong88@126.com.
authors.forename: Fenghong
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002374:Catalase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004596:Electroretinography; D015870:Gene Expression; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D008027:Light / Q000009:adverse effects; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D020419:Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D010936:Plant Extracts; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D029800:Vaccinium myrtillus / Q000737:chemistry*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000872:Anthocyanins; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D010936:Plant Extracts; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D008315:Malondialdehyde; C073305:Vaccinium myrtillus extract; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D053148:Caspase 3
keywords: bilberry anthocyanin; light-induced retinal degeneration; photoreceptor; pigmented rabbits; retinoprotection