Curcumin Delays Retinal Degeneration by Regulating Microglia Activation in the Retina of rd1 Mice

• Main Authors: Yanhe Wang, Zhiyuan Yin, Lixiong Gao, Dayu Sun, Xisu Hu, Langyue Xue, Jiaman Dai, YuXiao Zeng, Siyu Chen, Boju Pan, Min Chen, Jing Xie, Haiwei Xu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cell Physiol Biochem Press GmbH & Co KG 2017-11-01
• Series: Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry
• Subjects: Retinitis pigmentosa; Curcumin; Microglia; rd1 mice; Visual function
• Online Access: https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/485085

Background/Aims: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is characterized by degeneration of photoreceptors, and there are currently no effective treatments for this disease. However, curcumin has shown neuroprotectant efficacy in a RP rat and swine model, and thus, may have neuroprotective effects in this disease. Methods: Immunofluorescence staining, electroretinogram recordings, and behavioral tests were used to analyze the effects of curcumin and the underlying mechanism in retinal degeneration 1 (rd1) mice. Results: The number of apoptotic cells in the retina of rd1 mice at postnatal day 14 significantly decreased with curcumin treatment and visual function was improved. The activation of microglia and secretion of chemokines and matrix metalloproteinases in the retina were inhibited by curcumin. These effects were also observed in a co-culture of BV2 microglial cells and retina-derived 661W cells. Conclusions: Curcumin delayed retinal degeneration by suppressing microglia activation in the retina of rd1 mice. Thus, it may be an effective treatment for neurodegenerative disorders such as RP.