Effect of Moringa oleifera stem extract on hydrogen peroxide-induced opacity of cultured mouse lens.

BACKGROUND: Moringa oleifera, also known as horseradish tree or drumstick tree, has strong antioxidant properties. In the present study, we investigated the potential effect of Moringa oleifera stem extract (MOSE) on cataract formation induced by oxidative stress in cultured mouse lenses. METHODS: Mouse lenses cultured in vitro were pretreated with MOSE (0.5 and 1 mg/mL) for 24 h. Then, 1 mM hydrogen peroxide was added, and mouse lenses were cultured for a further 24 h. The medium was then changed to normal culture medium. After 48 h, lens opacification, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, reduced glutathione (GSH) content, and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were measured in lens tissues. In addition, the protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), a nuclear receptor with potential benefits to improve vision-threatening eye diseases, was assayed. RESULTS: MOSE (1 mg/mL) alleviated lens opacification, reduced ROS generation, increased GSH content, and elevated SOD and CAT activities in cultured lenses. Moreover, MOSE upregulated the expressions of SOD, CAT, and PPARα. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that MOSE alleviates oxidative stress-induced cataract formation, and the mechanism of the effect is mainly related to its improvement of the endogenous antioxidant system in the lens.

Dual Delivery of bFGF- and NGF-Binding Coacervate Confers Neuroprotection by Promoting Neuronal Proliferation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) are essential for proper development, survival, growth, and maintenance of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems. However, because bFGF and NGF have short half-life and rapid diffusion rate, they have limited clinical efficacy. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop an effective delivery system to protect bFGF and NGF from proteolysis while maintaining their normal bioactivities. METHODS: To more efficiently deliver bFGF and NGF, we used a coacervate (synthesized with heparin and a biodegradable polycation at mass ratio of 500: 100). The maximal package loads of GFs in coacervate were determined by Western Blotting; release efficiency of bFGF and NGF was measured by ELISA. Additionally, we evaluated the effect of bFGF and NGF on the viability, survival, and proliferation of neurons by MTT assay, BrdU cell proliferation, and calcein staining. RESULTS: Our coacervate incorporated bFGF and NGF and continuously released them for at least three weeks. This enhanced the growth and proliferation of PC12 cells and SH-SY5Y cells. Moreover, co-delivery of bFGF and NGF using coacervate was more neuroprotective than free application of both factors or coacervate delivery of each GF separately. CONCLUSIONS: Dual delivery of bFGF and NGF binding coacervate was neuroprotective via stimulating the growth and proliferation of neurons.

Serum fibroblast growth factor 21 levels are correlated with the severity of diabetic retinopathy.

The aim of the study was to assess serum fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) concentrations in Chinese type 2 diabetic patients with and without retinopathy and to assess the association between FGF21 and the severity of retinopathy. 117 diabetic patients were compared with 68 healthy controls. Fasting blood glucose, serum total cholesterol, serum triglycerides, serum insulin, and serum FGF21 levels were estimated. FGF21 concentrations in the patients were significantly higher than those in control. In the patient group there was a significant positive correlation between FGF21, insulin level, and homeostasis model assessment index. Serum FGF21 concentrations in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy or nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy were significantly higher than those in patients without diabetic retinopathy. When the presence of diabetes was defined as the final variable in the conditional logistic regression model with the FGF21 concentration as the continuous variable, FGF21 was significantly involved in the model. This study shows that the increase in serum concentration of FGF21 was associated with the severity of diabetic retinopathy and suggests that FGF21 may play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy and its degree.