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Suppression of AMD-Like Pathology by Mitochondria-Targeted Antioxidant SkQ1 Is Associated with a Decrease in the

Natalia A Muraleva1, Oyuna S Kozhevnikova2, Anzhela Z Fursova3

  • 1Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Pr. Lavrentyeva 10, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia. Myraleva@bionet.nsc.ru.

Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 19, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1 suppressed age-related macular degeneration (AMD) progression in rats by reducing retinal amyloid beta (Aβ) and inhibiting mTOR signaling. SkQ1 may offer a new prevention strategy for maintaining eye health and treating AMD.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Neuroscience
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss.
  • Amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation, implicated in Alzheimer's disease, is also found in the retina of AMD patients.
  • The precise role of Aβ in AMD pathogenesis and its potential as a therapeutic target are under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential of SkQ1, a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant, in preventing AMD-like pathology.
  • To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying SkQ1's effects, specifically focusing on Aβ and mTOR signaling in the retina.

Main Methods:

  • Long-term administration of SkQ1 to senescence-accelerated OXYS rats from 1.5 to 22 months of age.
  • Assessment of AMD-like pathology development in the retina.
  • Quantification of amyloid beta (Aβ) levels and measurement of mTOR signaling activity in the retina.

Main Results:

  • SkQ1 treatment significantly suppressed the development of AMD-like pathology in OXYS rats.
  • Retinal Aβ levels were reduced in SkQ1-treated rats compared to controls.
  • SkQ1 administration suppressed mTOR signaling activity in the retina.

Conclusions:

  • Inhibition of mTOR signaling represents a novel mechanism for the prophylactic effects of SkQ1 against AMD.
  • Dietary supplementation with SkQ1 shows promise as a preventative strategy for maintaining eye health.
  • SkQ1 may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for age-related macular degeneration.
Keywords:
Age-related macular degenerationOXYS ratsamyloid betamTORmitochondria-targeted antioxidant SkQ1

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