Effect of Lycium barbarum (Wolfberry) on Alleviating Axonal Degeneration after Partial Optic Nerve Transection

Cell Transplantation

Article

Phillis Wan-Foon Kau¹  Kin Chiu²  Yi-Wen Ruan³  Hong-Ying Li⁴  Kwok-Fai So⁵  Henry H. L. Chan⁶  Raymond Chuen-Chung Chang⁷ 

[1] Department of Anatomy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;Department of Ophthamology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Anatomy, Jinan University School of Medicine, Guangzhou, China;GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Anatomy, Jinan University School of Medicine, Guangzhou, China; Department of Ophthamology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science and the Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;GHM Institute of CNS Regeneration and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Ophthamology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science and the Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Anatomy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;Laboratory of Experimental Optometry (Neuroscience), School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China;The State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science and the Research Centre of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Anatomy, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China;

关键词: Lycium barbarum;    Optic nerve (ON);    Partial transection;    Secondary degeneration;    Macrophage;   

DOI  :  10.3727/096368915X686896

 received in 2014-12-09, accepted in 2015-01-12,  发布年份 2015

来源: Sage Journals

【 摘 要 】

Our previous results showed that the polysaccharides extracted from Lycium barbarum (LBP) could delay secondary degeneration of retinal ganglion cell bodies and improve the function of the retinas after partial optic nerve transection (PONT). Although the common degeneration mechanisms were believed to be shared by both neuronal bodies and axons, recently published data from slow Wallerian degeneration mutant (Wlds) mice supported the divergence in the mechanisms of them. Therefore, we want to determine if LBP could also delay the degeneration of axons after PONT. Microglia/macrophages were thought to be a source of reactive oxygen species after central nervous system (CNS) injury. After PONT, however, oxidative stress was believed to occur prior to the activation of microglia/macrophages in the areas vulnerable to secondary degeneration both in the optic nerves (ONs) and the retinas. But the results did not take into account the morphological changes of microglia/macrophages after their activation. So we examined the morphology in addition to the response magnitude of microglia/macrophages to determine their time point of activation. In addition, the effects of LBP on the activation of microglia/macrophages were investigated. The results showed that (1) LBP reduced the loss of axons in the central ONs and preserved the g-ratio (axon diameter/fiber diameter) in the ventral ONs although no significant effect was detected in the dorsal ONs; (2) microglia/macrophages were activated in the ONs by 12 h after PONT; (3) LBP decreased the response magnitude of microglia/macrophages 4 weeks after PONT. In conclusion, our results showed that LBP could delay secondary degeneration of the axons, and LBP could also inhibit the activation of microglia/macrophages. Therefore, LBP could be a promising herbal medicine to delay secondary degeneration in the CNS via modulating the function of microglia/macrophages.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
© 2015 Cognizant Comm. Corp.

【 图 表 】

Figure 4.

Figure 3.

Figure 4.

Figure 4.

Figure 3.