Scientists regenerate neurons in mice with spinal cord injury and optic nerve damage

New research by scientists at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine Temple University (LKSOM) shows, however, that gains in functional recovery from these injuries may be possible, thanks to a molecule known as Lin28, which regulates cell growth. In a study published online in the journal Molecular Therapy, the Temple researchers describe the ability of Lin28 -- when expressed above its usual levels -- to fuel axon regrowth in mice with spinal cord injury or optic nerve injury, enabling repair of the body's communication grid.

"Our findings show that Lin28 is a major regulator of axon regeneration and a promising therapeutic target for central nervous system injuries," explained Shuxin Li, MD, PhD, Professor of Anatomy and Cell Biology and in the Shriners Hospitals Pediatric Research Center at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and senior investigator on the new study. The research is the first to demonstrate the regenerative ability of Lin28 upregulation in the injured spinal cord of animals.

"We became interested in Lin28 as a target for neuron regeneration because it acts as a gatekeeper of stem cell activity," said Dr. Li. "It controls the switch that maintains stem cells or allows them to differentiate and potentially contribute to activities such as axon regeneration."

To explore the effects of Lin28 on axon regrowth, Dr. Li and colleagues developed a mouse model in which animals expressed extra Lin28 in some of their tissues. When full-grown, the animals were divided into groups that sustained spinal cord injury or injury to the optic nerve tracts that connect to the retina in the eye.

Another set of adult mice, with normal Lin28 expression and similar injuries, were given injections of a viral vector (a type of carrier) for Lin28 to examine the molecule's direct effects on tissue repair.

Extra Lin28 stimulated long-distance axon regeneration in all instances, though the most dramatic effects were observed following post-injury injection of Lin28. In mice with spinal cord injury, Lin28 injection resulted in the growth of axons to more than three millimeters beyond the area of axon damage, while in animals with optic nerve injury, axons regrew the entire length of the optic nerve tract. Evaluation of walking and sensory abilities after Lin28 treatment revealed significant improvements in coordination and sensation.

"We observed a lot of axon regrowth, which could be very significant clinically, since there currently are no regenerative treatments for spinal cord injury or optic nerve injury," Dr. Li explained.

One of his goals in the near-term is to identify a safe and effective means of getting Lin28 to injured tissues in human patients. To do so, his team of researchers will need to develop a vector, or carrier system for Lin28, that can be injected systemically and then hone in on injured axons to deliver the therapy directly to multiple populations of damaged neurons.

Is there any way to delay cataracts?

How do cataracts work?

The reason we can’t find a way to delay cataracts is that it’s more complicated than keeping a clear lens from becoming cloudy. It’s less like trying to keep a window clear and more like trying to stop aging. Scientists haven’t figured out a way to delay aging, even though we have a pretty good idea of what causes it biochemically. The same is true of cataracts.

The lens inside your eye lays down new layers each year, a lot like a tree laying down new rings each year. As the center of the lens gets more compressed over time, it hardens and gets cloudy. There is a type of biochemical bond called a disulfide bond, and it happens between the cysteine amino acids of the crystalline proteins in your eye. Yet, despite every fancy word of that being true, we don’t really have a way to stop it or delay it.

Are there risk factors for cataracts?

The one exception is UV light. Populations near the equator get cataracts quicker than populations far from the equator. So we have a pretty good guess that more UV light over the years will speed up the development of cataracts. In my own experience, however, I’ve noticed anecdotally that there’s not a super tight correlation with UV light. It’s a risk factor, but not a great predictor.

Is there anything I can do?

Living healthy is a good thing. Getting the right vitamins and minerals and antioxidants into your body is a good thing. Wearing sunglasses to minimize UV exposure is also a good thing. Yet, none of these actions can be said to definitively delay cataracts. It’s important to know that when you read about a miracle ingredient that delays cataracts. We just don’t have one yet. But when we do, I will shout it from the mountaintops. I can’t wait.

Can Supplements Improve Eye Health and Vision

   Can Supplements Improve Eye Health and Vision

You’ve probably heard someone say, “Eat your carrots, they’re good for your eyes.” you'll need also seen advertisements for nutritional supplements for eye health.  Vitamins and minerals benefit your eye health and vision. Keep reading to seek out out more about supplements and eye health.

Plenty of claims are made about the positive effects of supplements on vision and eye health, but only some research studies support these claims. One exception is that the Age-Related disease Studies. These are large studies conducted by the National Eye Institute.

The studies focused on two conditions that affect voluminous Americans, age-related degeneration and cataracts.

Age-related degeneration (AMD)

AMD occurs when there’s deterioration of light-sensitive cells within the macula area of the retina. this could be the a component of the eye responsible for:

• Recording what we see and sending the information to our brains

• Seeing fine detail

• Focusing

Cataracts

A cataract may be a clouding of the lens of the eye. it's visiting impair your ability to see to a tolerable degree to perform daily tasks and will deteriorate over time.

In study participants, the prospect of AMD and high vision loss was reduced by 25 percent over six years. In people with AMD, the condition was slowed only in people with moderate AMD. Supplements weren't effective for people with mild or very advanced stages.

Lutein and zeaxanthin supplements taken as a component of the AREDS2 formulation were seen to reduce the requirement for cataract surgery by 32 percent in those that initially had low dietary levels of these carotenoids.

What supplements may help my eye health

The following supplements, including the antioxidants found in AREDS2 capsules, are shown to be beneficial for some people.

1.      Lutein and Zeaxanthin Lutein:  Carotenoids are pigments found in plants and in your retina. Supplementing these pigments helps increase their density in your retina. They also absorb high-energy blue and actinic ray which is able to damage your eyes.

 Zinc: Also found naturally in your eyes, zinc may be a strong antioxidant that protects against cell damage. Zinc is that the first mineral within the AREDS2 formulation. When taking zinc, copper absorption is lessened. It’s recommended that zinc be combined with copper supplements.

 Thiamin (thiamine): Vitamin B1 is vital for the health of your eyes. There’s evidence that thiamin, gaga other vitamins, may reduce your risk of getting cataracts, but more research is required.

 Omega-3 fatty acids: The diet of most Americans doesn’t contain enough omega-3 fatty acids, the foremost source of which is fish. Photo receptors cells in your retina contain an oversized quantity of omega-3 acid. It’s believed that omega-3 carboxylic acid , a kind of omega-3 acid, helps within the event of retinal cells. It’s also thought to possess a task in reducing inflammation and helping cells of the retina and also the cornea heal and regenerate after damage due to light exposure and aging.

 Vitamin C: Several large studies show that vitamin reduces the prospect of getting some styles of cataracts. Two of these studies also found that a an Supplements Improve Eye Health and Vision.

Do you need supplements?

Diet must always be your primary source of vitamins and minerals. However, the National Eye Institute advises that the high doses found in AREDS2 can’t be obtained from diet alone.

Drink many water. Although recommendations vary by weight, adults should drink, roughly, between 1.5 liters (6 ¼ cups) and a couple of liters (8 1/3 cups) of fluid daily.

• Keep your eyes moist with artificial tears.

• Change your furnace or air conditioning filters regularly.

• Avoid environments with dusty or dirty air.

When must you see your doctor?

Consult your ophthalmologist before taking AREDS2. An ophthalmologist may be a doctor who focuses on eye health. Your doctor are going to be ready to determine if the supplements are going to be effective, given the status of your eye health.

Can I use supplements to enhance my eye health?

Your eyes and vision are plagued by many factors, including genetics and age. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating a diet that contains antioxidant-rich foods can contribute significantly to the health of your eyes.

Tips for eye health

• There are much stuff you can do to learn your eye health.

• Don’t smoke. Smoking damages blood vessels within the eyes and may cause cataracts, degeneration, and other sight problems.

• Protect your eyes from UV. Wear sunglasses when you’re outdoors and avoid staring directly into bright lights.

• Maintain a healthy weight and a vigorous lifestyle.

• After age 60, get a dilated eye exam annually

Laser Eye Surgery

                            Laser Eye Surgery

Laser eye surgery could be a procedure that involves in use of an optical device to reshape the surface of eye. This can be done to enhance or correct short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism. Some folks that have optical device vision correction need to use glasses or contact lenses to realize optimum vision.

What happens in optical device eye surgery?

During optical device eye surgery, AN instrument known as a microkeratome or time unit optical device is employed to form a skinny flap within the membrane. The membrane flap is then painlessly in the altogether back and underlying membrane tissue is reshaped mistreatment another optical device. Optical device procedure is mostly painless generally it's going to have some slight pressure on their eye whereas the optical device is being applied thereto. This treatment takes around 30-40 seconds. It reduces or eliminates the necessity for eyeglasses or contact lenses. These procedures will facilitate to correct refractive errors. These issues caused by AN amiss formed eyeball or membrane.

Is Lasik counseled once 50?

As the years roll on, optical device Eye Surgery might begin to appear like more and more enticing possibility. Less time trying to find misplaced glasses, no additional clumsy around with contact lenses and, to not mention, clearer vision. What may well be stopping you from going forward! Well, there's one little issue. Though there's no higher regulation, optical device Eye Surgery has long been overwhelmed against long-sightedness.

If you haven’t already detected, the treatment I’m talking concerning is PRESBYOND optical device amalgamated Vision™. However before we have a tendency to get additional into the revolutionary procedure, there are sure necessities anyone over fifty ought to 1st meet if they're to be thought of an honest candidate for optical device Eye Surgery

Some causes for Eye Surgery:

Glaucoma: eye disease is typically caused by a build-up of pressure within the eye. Optical device Eye Surgery cannot cure eye disease. However, many folks with eye disease will still be thought of a candidate. It’s vital for your eye disease specialist to figure together with your optical device eye physician to confirm your eye disease management isn't stricken by the optical device treatment.

Cataracts: A cataract is that the evaporation of the natural lens within the attention. This can be sometimes a gradual condition tha

t happens thanks to ageing. Once cataracts get to the purpose that they limit your vision or have an effect on your daily activities, the cloudy lens are often removed and replaced with a transparent implant. Cataract surgery might improve your vision to the purpose that you simply now not would like glasses

Dry eyes: Dry eye could be a common condition that may naturally develop as we have a tendency to grow old thanks to reduced tear production

DISADVANTAGES

• LASIK is technically complicated.

• Rare issues might occur once the doctor creates the flap, which may for good have an effect on vision

• LASIK will seldom cause a loss of "best" vision.