Attenuation of choroidal neovascularization by dietary intake of ω-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and lutein in mice

PLoS One. 2018 Apr 25;13(4):e0196037. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196037. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Dietary ω-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) and lutein each protect against age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We here examined the effects of ω-3 LCPUFAs and lutein supplementation in a mouse model of AMD. Mice were assigned to four groups: (1) a control group fed an ω-3 LCPUFA-free diet, (2) a lutein group fed an ω-3 LCPUFA-free diet with oral administration of lutein, (3) an ω-3 group fed an ω-3 LCPUFA-supplemented diet, and (4) an ω-3 + lutein group fed an ω-3 LCPUFA-supplemented diet with oral administration of lutein. Mice were fed the defined diets beginning 2 weeks before, and received lutein with an oral gavage needle beginning 1 week before, induction of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) by laser photocoagulation. The area of CNV measured in choroidal flat-mount preparations was significantly reduced in mice fed ω-3 LCPUFAs or lutein compared with those in the control group, and it was reduced in an additive manner in those receiving both ω-3 LCPUFAs and lutein. The concentrations of various inflammatory mediators in the retina or choroid were reduced in mice fed ω-3 LCPUFAs or lutein, but no additive effect was apparent. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in chorioretinal lesions revealed by dihydroethidium staining as well as the expression of NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) in the retina revealed by immunohistofluorescence and immunoblot analyses were attenuated by ω-3 LCPUFAs and lutein in a synergistic manner. Our results thus show that dietary intake of ω-3 LCPUFAs and lutein attenuated CNV in an additive manner and in association with suppression of inflammatory mediator production, ROS generation, and Nox4 expression. Dietary supplementation with both ω-3 LCPUFAs and lutein warrants further study as a means to protect against AMD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Choroidal Neovascularization / diet therapy*
  • Choroidal Neovascularization / genetics
  • Choroidal Neovascularization / metabolism
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / administration & dosage*
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / pharmacology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Laser Coagulation / adverse effects*
  • Lutein / administration & dosage*
  • Lutein / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • NADPH Oxidase 4 / metabolism
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • NADPH Oxidase 4
  • Nox4 protein, mouse
  • Lutein

Grants and funding

This was an investigator-industry collaborative study, funded by Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan. Tomoaki Nanri is an employee of Santen Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. The funding organization provided support in the form of salary for author TN. Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (15K10869) supported Dr. Ryoji Yanai. The funding organization participated in the design of the study, interpretation of the data, review and approval of the manuscript, and had no role in the conduct of the study, data collection, or analysis of data derived from this study.