ABSTRACT
Accumulation of misfolded proteins in the brain is a common hallmark of most age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies from our group identified the presence of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds in leaves derived from the Chilean berry Ugni molinae (murtilla), in addition to show a potent anti-aggregation activity in models of Alzheimer´s disease. However, possible beneficial effects of berry extracts of murtilla was not investigated. Here we evaluated the efficacy of fruit extracts from different genotypes of Chilean-native U. molinae on reducing protein aggregation using cellular models of Huntington´s disease and assess the correlation with their chemical composition. Berry extraction was performed by exhaustive maceration with increasing-polarity solvents. An unbiased automatic microscopy platform was used for cytotoxicity and protein aggregation studies in HEK293 cells using polyglutamine-EGFP fusion proteins, followed by secondary validation using biochemical assays. Phenolic-rich extracts from murtilla berries of the 19-1 genotype (ETE 19-1) significantly reduced polyglutamine peptide aggregation levels, correlating with the modulation in the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins. Using LC-MS and molecular network analysis we correlated the presence of flavonoids, phenolic acids, and ellagitannins with the protective effects of ETE 19-1 effects on protein aggregation. Overall, our results indicate the presence of bioactive components in ethanolic extracts from U. molinae berries that reduce the load of protein aggregates in living cells.
Subject(s)
Fruit , Huntington Disease , Protein Aggregates , Antioxidants/pharmacology , HEK293 Cells , Humans , Myrtaceae/chemistry , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plant LeavesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To describe the first case of a combined sub-hyaloid and sub-internal limiting membrane macular hemorrhage after recreational laser exposure. METHODS: A 23-year-old patient presented with an acute loss of vision in his right eye (OD) immediately after a brief exposure to a laser beam at a music festival. Color photography, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), and multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) were performed for diagnosis and follow-up. RESULTS: On presentation, visual acuity was 20/400 in the OD and 20/20 in the left eye. Posterior segment examination of his OD revealed a preretinal hemorrhage at the macula. SD-OCT images exposed a combined sub-hyaloid and sub-internal limiting membrane localization. Successful VPP with ILM peeling was carried out. Although sequential mfERG displayed almost complete restoration of the P1 amplitude 6 months posterior to VPP, SD-OCT demonstrated permanent damage to outer retinal layers. Final BCVA on OD was 20/30. CONCLUSION: The expanding and unregulated use of lasers in everyday life has created an increasing amount of cases of laser-induced retinopathy in recent years. Much more attention should be addressed in laser safety and awareness to prevent future ocular injuries. In acute phases of sub-hyaloid hemorrhages blocking direct visualization of the posterior pole, mfERG is a valuable tool to address initial macular pathology.
Subject(s)
Eye Injuries/etiology , Lasers/adverse effects , Retina/injuries , Retinal Hemorrhage/etiology , Vitreous Body/injuries , Vitreous Hemorrhage/etiology , Electroretinography , Eye Injuries/diagnostic imaging , Eye Injuries/surgery , Holidays , Humans , Male , Retinal Hemorrhage/diagnostic imaging , Retinal Hemorrhage/surgery , Tomography, Optical Coherence , Visual Acuity/physiology , Vitrectomy , Vitreous Hemorrhage/diagnostic imaging , Vitreous Hemorrhage/surgery , Young AdultABSTRACT
El propósito de la investigación es contribuir con la formulación de una propuesta para la implementación de procedimientos en relación a la designación, contratación y remuneración a docentes que realizan actividades de Post grado en la Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Financieras de la Universidad Mayor de San Andrés