Fullerenol protects cornea from ultraviolet B exposure

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Materials Science
• Biochemistry

Background:

• The cornea is vulnerable to oxidative stress from ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation.
• Fullerenols are potent antioxidants but rarely used for ocular applications.
• Understanding fullerenol's protective mechanisms against UVB damage is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of fullerenols against UVB-induced corneal injury.
• To compare the efficacy of fullerenols with glutathione (GSH) in vivo and in vitro.
• To evaluate fullerenols' potential as an exogenous treatment for UVB-damaged corneas.

Main Methods:

• In vivo and in vitro studies using UVB-irradiated rat corneas and human corneal epithelial cells (hCECs).
• Assessment of fullerenols' antioxidant properties, including free radical scavenging and photo-stability.
• Evaluation of corneal injury markers (swelling, cell death, proliferation) and cellular functions (mitochondria, DNA).
• RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) to analyze gene expression changes.

Main Results:

• Fullerenols demonstrated broad-spectrum free radical scavenging (ROS and RNS) and photo-stability.
• In vivo, fullerenols significantly reduced UVB-induced corneal injury, edema, and cell death, while enhancing proliferation compared to GSH.
• In vitro, fullerenols improved hCEC viability, proliferation, reduced oxidative stress, and repaired mitochondrial and DNA damage.
• RNA-Seq revealed fullerenol's modulation of oxidative stress and proliferation-related genes.

Conclusions:

• Fullerenols show significant protective capabilities against UVB-induced corneal damage.
• Their antioxidant and cell-protective properties make them suitable for treating UVB-related eye injuries.
• Fullerenols represent a promising exogenous therapeutic agent for ameliorating corneal damage.