DHA is a major structural component of retinal photoreceptor membranes, and it affects the permeability, fluidity and thickness of these membranes. EPA is the precursor to eicosanoids, hormone-like substances that control vasodilation/constriction (the widening/narrowing of blood vessels, the process regulates blood flow and pressure), blood coagulation and inflammation all of which affect eye health. Studies looking at the relationship of omega-3 to the prevalence of advanced macular degeneration (AMD) have also observed a protective effect.

 

Increased dietary intake of omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids found to reduce the risk of pathological retinal angiogenesis

Pathological angiogenesis is the abnormal, and rapid, proliferation of blood vessels, often driven by a lack of oxygen; it is implicated in age-related macular degeneration, while a similar process called neovascularization is implicated in diabetic retinopathy. This study examined the effect of omega-3- and omega-6-polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on vascular loss, vascular regrowth after injury, and hypoxia-induced (oxygen deficiency) pathological neovascularization in a mouse model of retinopathy. Increasing tissue levels of omega-3 was associated with a decrease in the area of the retina not dependant on blood vessel supply linked to an increase in blood vessel re-growth after injury, thus reducing the possibility of oxygen deficiency arising. The protective effect was linked, partly, to suppression of the inflammatory mediator tumor necrosis factor-a.

 

Click here to view the study abstract.

 

DHA exclusively activates the ERK/MAPK pathway to promote the survival of retinal photoreceptors

Vision is possible due to the absorption of light by photoreceptor cells on the retina of the eye. DHA, the principal retinal polyunsaturated fatty acid, prevents photoreceptor apoptosis during early development in vitro, and upon oxidative stress. This study investigated whether the extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) or the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway participated in DHA protection (kinases are enzymes which transfer phosphate groups to target molecules such as proteins, thus modifying the target molecule; they are used to transmit signals to the genome and are involved in regulating the majority of cellular pathways). DHA promoted the early expression of Bcl-2 (an anti-apoptosis, or cellular death, signal), decreased Bax expression and reduced caspase-3 activation in photoreceptors (these both promote apoptosis). The authors concluded that DHA exclusively activates the ERK/MAPK pathway to promote photoreceptor survival during early development in vitro and upon oxidative stress; it works by activating the same signaling pathways triggered by peptidic trophic factors (trophic factors are signals that indicate to a cell to live).

 

Click here to view the study abstract

 

Systematic review concluded that DHA is promising to improve outcomes in cases of retinitis pigmentosa

6 studies, published between 1996 and 2004, were analysed to investigate the question of the possible value of omega-3 fatty acids in slowing the progression of retinitis pigmentosa. The reviewers concluded “there are trends in improvement of some retinitis pigmentosa outcomes with omega-3 fatty acids in the higher quality studies”, however the research is preliminary and consequently “definitive answers will require significantly more observational and interventional clinical research”.

 

Click here to view the study abstract.

 

DHA and photoreceptor survival

An exploration of recent data discusses the role of photoreceptor cell degeneration in many common retinal diseases; the death of these cells seems to involve the closely affiliated retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. These cells are vulnerable due to their high oxygen consumption and exposure to light; the mechanisms by which they maintain homeostasis are not fully understood. DHA is the precursor of neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1); NPD1 inhibits oxidative-stress-mediated proinflammatory gene expression and apoptosis. The author concludes that understanding presents “an opportunity for the development of therapies for retinal degenerative diseases”.

 

Click here to view the abstract.

DHA is a major structural component of retinal photoreceptor membranes, and it affects the permeability, fluidity and thickness of these membranes. EPA is the precursor to eicosanoids, hormone-like substances that control vasodilation/constriction (the widening/narrowing of blood vessels, the process regulates blood flow and pressure), blood coagulation and inflammation all of which affect eye health. Studies looking at the relationship of omega-3 to the prevalence of advanced macular degeneration (AMD) have also observed a protective effect.

 

Increased dietary intake of omega-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids found to reduce the risk of pathological retinal angiogenesis

Pathological angiogenesis is the abnormal, and rapid, proliferation of blood vessels, often driven by a lack of oxygen; it is implicated in age-related macular degeneration, while a similar process called neovascularization is implicated in diabetic retinopathy. This study examined the effect of omega-3- and omega-6-polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on vascular loss, vascular regrowth after injury, and hypoxia-induced (oxygen deficiency) pathological neovascularization in a mouse model of retinopathy. Increasing tissue levels of omega-3 was associated with a decrease in the area of the retina not dependant on blood vessel supply linked to an increase in blood vessel re-growth after injury, thus reducing the possibility of oxygen deficiency arising. The protective effect was linked, partly, to suppression of the inflammatory mediator tumor necrosis factor-a.

 

Click here to view the study abstract.

 

DHA exclusively activates the ERK/MAPK pathway to promote the survival of retinal photoreceptors

Vision is possible due to the absorption of light by photoreceptor cells on the retina of the eye. DHA, the principal retinal polyunsaturated fatty acid, prevents photoreceptor apoptosis during early development in vitro, and upon oxidative stress. This study investigated whether the extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) or the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway participated in DHA protection (kinases are enzymes which transfer phosphate groups to target molecules such as proteins, thus modifying the target molecule; they are used to transmit signals to the genome and are involved in regulating the majority of cellular pathways). DHA promoted the early expression of Bcl-2 (an anti-apoptosis, or cellular death, signal), decreased Bax expression and reduced caspase-3 activation in photoreceptors (these both promote apoptosis). The authors concluded that DHA exclusively activates the ERK/MAPK pathway to promote photoreceptor survival during early development in vitro and upon oxidative stress; it works by activating the same signaling pathways triggered by peptidic trophic factors (trophic factors are signals that indicate to a cell to live).

 

Click here to view the study abstract

 

Systematic review concluded that DHA is promising to improve outcomes in cases of retinitis pigmentosa

6 studies, published between 1996 and 2004, were analysed to investigate the question of the possible value of omega-3 fatty acids in slowing the progression of retinitis pigmentosa. The reviewers concluded “there are trends in improvement of some retinitis pigmentosa outcomes with omega-3 fatty acids in the higher quality studies”, however the research is preliminary and consequently “definitive answers will require significantly more observational and interventional clinical research”.

 

Click here to view the study abstract.

 

DHA and photoreceptor survival

An exploration of recent data discusses the role of photoreceptor cell degeneration in many common retinal diseases; the death of these cells seems to involve the closely affiliated retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. These cells are vulnerable due to their high oxygen consumption and exposure to light; the mechanisms by which they maintain homeostasis are not fully understood. DHA is the precursor of neuroprotectin D1 (NPD1); NPD1 inhibits oxidative-stress-mediated proinflammatory gene expression and apoptosis. The author concludes that understanding presents “an opportunity for the development of therapies for retinal degenerative diseases”.

 

Click here to view the abstract.