Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, have made a significant discovery: polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) can not only slow down but also fully reverse age-related vision impairment. The findings of their work, published in the esteemed journal Science Translational Medicine (STM), demonstrate that injections of these compounds significantly improved retinal function in aged mice subjects and effectively eliminated signs of cellular aging.
The researchers determined that the enzyme ELOVL2 plays a crucial role in maintaining visual health, being responsible for the synthesis of very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFAs). With age, the levels of these vital lipids decrease, leading to weakened vision and an increased likelihood of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Direct administration of polyunsaturated fatty acids helped to compensate for the enzyme deficiency and restore lost visual clarity.
It is important to note that widely used docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplements did not exhibit a similar therapeutic effect. The study authors emphasize that other types of polyunsaturated fatty acids possess the necessary potential. Furthermore, genetic variations of ELOVL2 were identified within the study that contribute to the accelerated progression of AMD. This opens new avenues for early diagnosis and the development of personalized prevention methods for the disease.
Experts believe that this discovery could serve as a foundation not only for creating new treatments for retinal diseases but also for developing strategies to slow down the aging processes of the immune system, where lipid metabolism plays a similarly important role.
Previously, other scientific groups developed experimental eye drops containing the antioxidant lutein, which, as trials showed, successfully reached the retina and provided protection against damage.
