The role and therapeutic potential of melatonin in age‐related ocular diseases. Issue 2 (18th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Crooke, Almudena; Huete‐Toral, Fernando; Colligris, Basilio; Pintor, Jesús
• Is Part Of: Journal of pineal research. Volume 63:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-07-18
• Subjects: aged‐related ocular diseases -- age‐related macular degeneration -- aging -- cataract -- diabetic retinopathy -- glaucoma -- melatonin; Pineal gland -- Periodicals; Pineal Gland -- Periodicals; Épiphyse (Glande); Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 612.492
• DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12430
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0742-3098

Abstract

Abstract: The eye is continuously exposed to solar UV radiation and pollutants, making it prone to oxidative attacks. In fact, oxidative damage is a major cause of age‐related ocular diseases including cataract, glaucoma, age‐related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy. As the nature of lens cells, trabecular meshwork cells, retinal ganglion cells, retinal pigment epithelial cells, and photoreceptors is postmitotic, autophagy plays a critical role in their cellular homeostasis. In age‐related ocular diseases, this process is impaired, and thus, oxidative damage becomes irreversible. Other conditions such as low‐grade chronic inflammation and angiogenesis also contribute to the development of retinal diseases (glaucoma, age‐related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy). As melatonin is known to have remarkable qualities such as antioxidant/antinitridergic, mitochondrial protector, autophagy modulator, anti‐inflammatory, and anti‐angiogenic, it can represent a powerful tool to counteract all these diseases. The present review analyzes the role and therapeutic potential of melatonin in age‐related ocular diseases, focusing on nitro‐oxidative stress, autophagy, inflammation, and angiogenesis mechanisms.