Mitochondrial Dysfunction as a Novel Target for Neuroprotective Nutraceuticals in Ocular Diseases

• Published in: Nutrients Vol. 12; no. 7; p. 1950
• Main Authors: Huang, Chun-Ping, Lin, Yi-Wen, Huang, Yu-Chuen, Tsai, Fuu-Jen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 30.06.2020; MDPI
• Subjects: Apoptosis; Bioavailability; Biosynthesis; Diabetes; Diabetic retinopathy; Dietary Supplements; Disease; Energy demand; Free radicals; Functional foods & nutraceuticals; Gene expression; Glaucoma; Glucose; Health care; Homeostasis; Humans; Hyperglycemia; Kinases; Lipid peroxidation; Lipids; Macular degeneration; Metabolic disorders; Metabolism; Mitochondria; Mitochondria - drug effects; Mitochondrial DNA; mitochondrial dysfunction; Neural networks; Neurodegeneration; Neuroprotection; Neuroprotective Agents - pharmacology; nutraceuticals; ocular diseases; Optic nerve; Oxidative stress; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Pathogenesis; Photoreceptors; Proteins; Retina; Retina - cytology; Retinal cells; Retinal Diseases - prevention & control; Review; Scavenging; Visual system; mitochondrial dysfunction; neuroprotection; nutraceuticals; ocular diseases
• ISSN: 2072-6643; 2072-6643
• DOI: 10.3390/nu12071950

The eyes require a rich oxygen and nutrient supply; hence, the high-energy demand of the visual system makes it sensitive to oxidative stress. Excessive free radicals result in mitochondrial dysfunction and lead to retinal neurodegeneration, as an early stage of retinal metabolic disorders. Retinal cells are vulnerable because of their coordinated interaction and intricate neural networks. Nutraceuticals are believed to target multiple pathways and have shown neuroprotective benefits by scavenging free radicals and promoting mitochondrial gene expression. Furthermore, encouraging results demonstrate that nutraceuticals improve the organization of retinal cells and visual functions. This review discusses the mitochondrial impairments of retinal cells and the mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of nutraceuticals. However, some unsolved problems still exist between laboratory study and clinical therapy. Poor bioavailability and bioaccessibility strongly limit their development. A new delivery system and improved formulation may offer promise for health care applications.