Relative photoreactivity of pigment inclusions of the retinal pigment epithelium

Randolph D. Glickman; Alexander E. Dontsov; Michail A. Ostrovsky

doi:10.1117/12.308206

13 May 1998 Relative photoreactivity of pigment inclusions of the retinal pigment epithelium

Randolph D. Glickman, Alexander E. Dontsov, Michail A. Ostrovsky

Proceedings Volume 3254, Laser-Tissue Interaction IX; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.308206
Event: BiOS '98 International Biomedical Optics Symposium, 1998, San Jose, CA, United States

Abstract

The cellular pigments of the retinal pigment epithelium are photoactive; that is, they promote free radical oxidative reactions when illuminated with visible or ultraviolet light. This activity is sufficient to cause photo-oxidation of several major cellular components such as antioxidants, dinucleotide cofactors, proteins and fatty acids. The present investigation determined the relative ability of melanin, lipofuscin, and melanolipofuscin granules isolated from human and bovine eyes to oxidize linoleic and docosahexaenoic acids, which are polyunsaturated fatty acids. The dark reactivity as well as the light-stimulated reactions were determined. All RPE pigment granules stimulated fatty acid oxidation when irradiated with the blue-green (488.1 and 514.5 nm) emission of the Argon-ion laser. Only lipofuscin, however, caused peroxidation of fatty acids in the dark. These findings not only suggest that accumulation of lipofuscin in the aging eye may contribute to increased photo-oxidative stress to the retina and RPE, but also that the photoactive RPE pigments might serve as endogenous photosensitizers for therapeutic applications.

Citation Download Citation

Randolph D. Glickman, Alexander E. Dontsov, and Michail A. Ostrovsky "Relative photoreactivity of pigment inclusions of the retinal pigment epithelium", Proc. SPIE 3254, Laser-Tissue Interaction IX, (13 May 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.308206

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available