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Glutathione Articles - Macular Degeneration

Induction of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor by 4-Hydroxynonenal and its Prevention by Glutathione Precursors in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells
Ayalasomayajula SP, Kompella UB.
Eur J Pharmacol. 2002 Aug 9;449(3):213-20.
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ABSTRACT

Although 4-hydroxynonenal, a highly reactive lipid peroxidation product, is implicated in several age-related disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, its role in agerelated macular degeneration is not known. The purpose of this study was to determine whether 4-hydroxynonenal increases vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19), a source of VEGF in choroidal neovascularization observed in age-related macular degeneration. In addition, it was the purpose of this study to assess whether glutathione (GSH) and GSH precursors can inhibit the effects of 4-hydroxynonenal. At 1 micro M, 4-hydroxynonenal did not alter cell viability, but elevated VEGF secretio n and mRNA expression by 35% (p<0.05) and 1.9- fold (p<0.05), respectively. However, at concentrations 5 microM and above, 4-hydroxynonenal reduced VEGF secretion as well as cell viability. At 1 and 10 microM, 4-hydroxynonenal did not induce apoptosis in ARPE-19 cells. 4-Hydroxynonenal (1 microM) reduced intracellular GSH by 25% (p<0.05) and increased oxidative stress by 50% (p<0.05). GSH precursor pretreatment for 1 h, which increased intracellular GSH levels by 50% (p<0.05), as well as GSH co-treatment, inhibited the VEGF- inductive and cytotoxic effects of 4-hydroxynonenal. Thus, 4-hydroxynonenal (1 microM) induces VEGF expression and secretion in ARPE-19 cells. This effect is likely due to GSH depletion and an associated increase in intracellular oxidative stress, resulting in increased VEGF mRNA levels. 4-Hydroxynonenal-mediated VEGF secretion as well as cytotoxicity can be reversed with GSH precursor pretreatment or GSH co-treatment.

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