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Posted on 10/04/2024 8:01:20 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Researchers have identified a protein that may prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to a new study published in the Developmental Cell on Oct. 2.
AMD is the leading cause of vision loss among older adults, affecting nearly 20 million Americans. As the population ages, this number is expected to rise significantly. Currently, there are no treatments that can stop AMD’s progression.
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“I think we identified something that can target early-stage disease. ... That’s a big deal,” the study’s lead author Ruchira Singh, an associate professor of ophthalmology at the University of Rochester in New York, told The Epoch Times.
The study used human stem cells rather than animal models, which may give a more accurate depiction of what is happening in AMD, according to the researchers.
“Older research methods have been limited in their ability to capture important aspects of either healthy or diseased human cells,” Singh noted.
The researchers extracted human stem cells from healthy people and AMD patients and programmed them into cells lining the retina.
Compared to healthy people, AMD patients’ retinal cells overproduced a type of protein called tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3), which leads to a buildup of fats and proteins called drusen. Drusen are a marker of early-stage AMD.
In AMD, the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp vision, becomes damaged.
In the early stages, yellow deposits of drusen begin to accumulate in the retina. Early AMD symptoms include blurred vision or seeing a black spot in the central field of vision, making everyday activities like reading, driving, and even recognizing faces increasingly difficult.
Dry AMD, which accounts for 90 percent of diagnosed cases, is characterized by the gradual buildup of drusen and slow vision loss. Wet AMD, which is less common and more severe, is linked to the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the retina.
In the study, researchers found that TIMP3 blocked another enzyme called matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2), which acts as the eyes’ cleanup crew, removing harmful substances and keeping the eyes healthy. With less MMP2 activity, drusen accumulates, driving AMD disease.
Singh’s team found that by blocking TIMP3, they could increase MMP2 levels, which help regulate inflammation and eye health. When MMP2 levels are low, inflammation increases, leading to more drusen buildup and vision loss.
By boosting MMP2 levels, the researchers were able to reduce drusen accumulation.
Singh’s team has filed provisional patents for enzyme inhibitors that could help treat the disease. Next steps include preclinical studies and determining the best method of delivery, such as oral medication or eye drops. Only after these stages conclude can the therapy be tested and, eventually, made available to patients.
Although the exact cause of AMD is not fully understood, genetic and environmental factors are known to contribute. Having a family history of AMD may increase the risk.
Specific genes, such as ABCA4, have been linked to the condition. However, research is ongoing to determine their role in treatment, according to a review published in Clinical Interventions in Aging.
Older age, smoking, obesity, and cardiovascular disease increase a person’s risk of AMD. Some studies have also linked diets high in saturated fat with an increased likelihood of AMD.
AMD progresses at different rates in different people. Up to 3 percent of people with minor drusen accumulation experience vision problems within five years, while about 50 percent with larger drusen develop late-stage AMD and vision loss within the same time frame.
Daily vitamins and nutritional supplements may help slow the progression of intermediate dry AMD.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), certain nutrients benefit eye health, including vitamins C and E, zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3 fatty acids. These are linked to a lower risk of developing AMD later in life.
Citrus fruits, dark-green leafy vegetables, whole grains, fatty fish, and nuts are good food choices for supporting eye health.
Additionally, the AAO recommends a low-glycemic-index diet for those with AMD or who are at risk. Glycemic index indicates how quickly foods raise blood sugar, and low-glycemic-index diets tend to be high in nonstarchy vegetables and whole or minimally processed grains and low in processed foods.
Physical activity is also associated with lower odds of early and late AMD. The AAO notes that consistent physical activity, such as walking, cycling, swimming, and even active gardening, can help keep eyes healthy.
Without treatment, dry AMD can progress to wet AMD, which worsens quickly.
I'm very nearsighted and 5 years ago the pupil of my right eye cramped up so bad it deformed my eye, gave me a cat eye if you can believe it but only temporary. But man, did that hurt wow. It looked sort of like this
and I had to buy these eyedrops called Durezal which is a steroid that cost $240 for a bottle about the size of your thumbnail but it did the trick, but I can tell every year my eyes are getting worse.
P
My eye Doc suggested I buy AREDS-2 pills. Bausch-Lomb offers them, as one suggestion.
AREDS = Age Related Eye Disease. The pills are a supplement containing the ingredients identified as helping. This grew out of professional conference findings on the subject.
I take them, my father had MD late in life, high 80s onwards, and I have no desire to have the same.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age-Related_Eye_Disease_Study
Ping
Article could be describing me. 84 now and about 2 years ago during routine eye exam I heard Dr. calling out “drusen” findings to assistant. Both eyes. Beginning stage of dry AMD. Got me started on AREDS 2 vitamins. Didn’t work. Follow up exam couple months later revealed “wet” AMD. Immeditely referred to a retina specialist. Began apparently for life eye injections. Frequency varies depends on how well eyes respond...4 weeks on one eye and 11 on other. So far so good..no DL glasses restriction.
“Older age, smoking, obesity, and cardiovascular disease increase a person’s risk of AMD.”
Brilliant
From the posted article:
“matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2), which acts as the eyes’ cleanup crew, removing harmful substances and keeping the eyes healthy. With less MMP2 activity, drusen accumulates, driving AMD disease.
Boosting MMP2 Prevents AMD”
But the following, from other sources, suggests that boosting MMP2 may not be such a good idea... (though maybe a way can be found to stimulate MMP2 in the eyes alone?)
“Increased MMP-2 activity has also been linked with a poor prognosis in multiple forms of cancer including colorectal, melanoma, breast, lung, ovarian, and prostate.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MMP2
“Enhanced expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 has been observed in cancers of breast, colon, lung, skin, ovary and prostate among others”
https://helda.helsinki.fi/server/api/core/bitstreams/8411d196-c934-4ce2-a876-d1f1d1bbb4be/content
???
Citrus fruits, dark-green leafy vegetables, whole grains, fatty fish, and nuts are good food choices for supporting eye health.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
so, eat your spinach
I’ve got dry MD discovered 4 years ago at 82, Eye doctor advised I take Ared’s by Bosch and Lome that are a vitamin, I asked her how do I know if they work the answer was if it doesn’t get worse. So far it hasn’t.
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