NRR Journal Hot Review Article: Neuroprotective Strategies for Retinopathy

Neuroprotective strategies for retinopathy involve a variety of biomolecules and treatments.

First, the high concentration of taurine as a non-essential amino acid in the retina suggests that it is essential for retinal health. Taurine has antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, immunomodulatory and calcium balance regulating properties, and has potential neuroprotective effects on the prevention of oxidative stress and degeneration of photoreceptor cells and retinal ganglion cells.

Second, stem cell-derived retinal ganglion cell transplantation provides a regenerative medicine strategy for retinal ganglion cell degenerative diseases, such as glaucoma.

In addition, macrophage migration inhibitors play a role in a variety of retinal diseases, and anti-MIF therapy may help alleviate retinal degeneration.

Finally, somatostatin, as a neuroprotective peptide, has therapeutic potential for diabetic retinopathy by inhibiting excitatory neurotransmission, antiproliferative, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Taken together, these strategies involve the replacement of missing molecules, stem cell transplantation, and therapies targeting inflammatory cytokines, providing a multi-angle neuroprotective approach to retinopathy. Future research directions should focus on the standardization, personalized treatment, and safety optimization of these strategies to achieve early prevention and effective treatment. To this end, 3 relevant review articles published by scholars in this journal in 2023-2024 are selected and recommended for readers to read.

(1) Taurine: a promising nutraceutic in the prevention of retinal degeneration

Taurine: an effective nutrient for preventing retinal degeneration

Diego García-Ayuso 1, Johnny Di Pierdomenico 1, Ana Martínez-Vacas 1, Manuel Vidal-Sanz 1, Serge Picaud 2, María P Villegas-Pérez 1

1 Experimental Ophthalmology Research Group, Department of Ophthalmology, Optometry, Otorhinolaryngology and Pathological Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia Institute for Biosanitary Research (IMIB), Health Sciences Campus, Murcia, Spain.

2 Sorbonne University, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France.

Cite this article:

García-Ayuso D, Di Pierdomenico J, Martínez-Vacas A, Vidal-Sanz M, Picaud S, Villegas-Pérez MP. Taurine: a promising nutraceutic in the prevention of retinal degeneration. Neural Regen Res. 2024; 19(3):606-610. doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.380820

Body Links:

https://journals.lww.com/nrronline/pages/results.aspx?txtKeywords=10.4103%2f1673-5374.380820

(2) The roles of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in retinal diseases

Role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in retinal disease

Hongbing Zhang 1, Xianjiao Zhang 2, Hongsong Li 3, Bing Wang 3, Pei Chen 3, Jiamin Meng 3

1 Shaanxi Institute of Ophthalmology, Xi'an; Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China.

2 Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China.

3 Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China.

Cite this article:

Zhang H, Zhang X, Li H, Wang B, Chen P, Meng J. The roles of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in retinal diseases. Neural Regen Res. 2024; 19(2):. doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.379020

Body Links:

https://journals.lww.com/nrronline/pages/results.aspx?txtKeywords=10.4103%2f1673-5374.379020

(3) On implications of somatostatin in diabetic retinopathy

Effect of somatostatin on diabetic retinopathy

Yanhong Fang 1, Qionghua Wang 1, Youjian Li 2, Li Zeng 3, Jian Liu 4, Kepeng Ou 2

1 Department of Ophthalmology, Chongqing University Jiangjin Hospital, Chongqing, China.

2 College of Pharmacy, National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Targeted and Innovative Therapeutics, IATTI, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing, China.

3 Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong Laboratory Animal Center, Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.

4 Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.

Cite this article:

Fang Y, Wang Q, Li Y, Zeng L, Liu J, Ou K. On implications of somatostatin in diabetic retinopathy. Neural Regen Res. 2024; 19(9):1984-1990. doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.390955

Body Links:

https://journals.lww.com/nrronline/pages/results.aspx?txtKeywords=10.4103%2f1673-5374.390955