Carteolol hydrochloride reduces visible light-induced retinal damage in vivo and BSO/glutamate-induced oxidative stress in vitro

Effect of treatment with carteolol and latanoprost in newly diagnosed primary open-angle glaucoma on peripapillary vessel density

BACKGROUND AND AIM

In a previous follow-up of glaucoma patients taking carteolol or latanoprost, we found a greater progression of visual field changes with the prostaglandin than the betablocker. In the present study we compared the impact of carteolol and latanoprost on peripapillary vessel density in newly diagnosed primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients.

METHODS

The study consisted of two groups of POAG patients. There were 46 patient eyes treated with carteolol (Carteol LP 2%) in the first group and 52 eyes treated with latanoprost (Xalatan 0.005%) in the second. Intraocular pressure (IOP), vessel density (VD) and visual field were assessed in all patients. VD was measured peripapillary by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) with the Avanti RTVue XR in eight segments: Inferior Temporal - IT (1); Temporal Inferior -TI (2); Temporal Superior - TS (3); Superior Temporal - ST (4); Superior Nasal - SN (5); Nasal Superior - NS (6); Nasal Inferior - NI (7) and Inferior Nasal - IN (8). The measurements were compared before and after three months of treatment. The visual field was examined with a fast threshold glaucoma program using a Medmont M 700 instrument from Medmont International Pty Ltd. and only when a diagnosis of POAG was done. The overall defect (OD) was assessed.

RESULTS

Before treatment, there was no difference between groups in either OD or VD. After treatment, there was a decrease in IOP in both groups. In the carteolol-treated group, the mean decrease was 5.8 mmHg and in the latanoprost-treated eyes, the mean decrease was 7 mmHg. The difference was not statistically significant (P=0.133). After treatment with carteolol, there was a statistically significant increase in VD in segments 4, 5 and 6. After latanoprost treatment, VD was statistically significantly improved only in segment 5. A greater increase in VD values was found in eyes treated with carteolol than in eyes treated with latanoprost.

CONCLUSION

Carteolol had a better effect on vessel density than latanoprost.

Modulating antioxidant systems as a therapeutic approach to retinal degeneration

The human retina is facing a big challenge of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from endogenous and exogenous sources. Excessive ROS can cause damage to DNA, lipids, and proteins, triggering abnormal redox signaling, and ultimately lead to cell death. Thus, oxidative stress has been observed in inherited retinal diseases as a common hallmark. To counteract the detrimental effect of ROS, cells are equipped with various antioxidant defenses. In this review, we will focus on the antioxidant systems in the retina and how they can protect retina from oxidative stress. Both small antioxidants and antioxidant enzymes play a role in ROS removal. Particularly, the thioredoxin and glutaredoxin systems, as the major antioxidant systems in mammalian cells, exert functions in redox signaling regulation via modifying cysteines in proteins. In addition, the thioredoxin-like rod-derived cone viability factor (RdCVFL) and thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) can modulate metabolism in photoreceptors and promote their survival. In conclusion, elevating the antioxidant capacity in retina is a promising therapy to curb the progress of inherited retinal degeneration.

Comparison of the Effect on Vessel Density and RNFL between Carteolol and Latanoprost

The aim of the study was to compare the treatment of hypertensive glaucoma (HTG) in the early stages with carteolol and latanoprost by assessing the change in vessel density (VD) and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL). Methods: The first group with diagnosed HTG consisted of 46 eyes treated with carteolol; the second group consisted of 52 eyes treated with latanoprost. The following examinations were evaluated in all patients: intraocular pressure (IOP), retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), vessel density (VD) and visual field examination (glaucoma fast threshold test). The results were compared before treatment and 3 months after treatment. Results: There was no difference in the overall visual field defect (OD) between groups before treatment. After treatment, there was a decrease in IOP in both groups (carteolol-treated group had a mean decrease of 5.8 mmHg and latanoprost-treated eyes had a mean decrease of 7 mmHg). This difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.133). No similar difference was observed for RNFL (p = 0.161). In contrast, the change in the VD parameter was statistically significant between groups (p < 0.05), with a greater difference observed in the carteolol-treated group of eyes. Carteolol had a better effect on the VD.

Selective Reduction of Quinolinones Promoted by a SmI2/H2O/MeOH System

The selective reduction of quinolin-2(1H)-ones promoted by a SmI₂/H₂O/MeOH system is reported for the first time. The reaction is effectively carried out to afford 3,4-dihydroquinoline-2(1H)-ones under mild conditions in a one-pot fashion with good to excellent yields.

Topical Medication Therapy for Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension

Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of blindness, thus seriously affecting people’s health and quality of life. The topical medical therapy is as the first line treatment in the management of glaucoma since it is inexpensive, convenient, effective, and safe. This review summarizes and compares extensive clinical trials on the topical medications for the treatment of glaucoma, including topical monotherapy agents, topical fixed-combination agents, topical non-fixed combination agents, and their composition, mechanism of action, efficacy, and adverse effects, which will provide reference for optimal choice of clinical medication. Fixed-combination therapeutics offer greater efficacy, reliable security, clinical compliance, and tolerance than non-fixed combination agents and monotherapy agents, which will become a prefer option for the treatment of glaucoma. Meanwhile, we also discuss new trends in the field of new fixed combinations of medications, which may better control IOP and treat glaucoma.

The molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis and its role in cardiovascular disease

Ferroptosis is a programmed iron-dependent cell death characterized by accumulation of lipid peroxides (LOOH) and redox disequilibrium. Ferroptosis shows unique characteristics in biology, chemistry, and gene levels, compared to other cell death forms. The metabolic disorder of intracellular LOOH catalyzed by iron causes the inactivity of GPX4, disrupts the redox balance, and triggers cell death. Metabolism of amino acid, iron, and lipid, including associated pathways, is considered as a specific hallmark of ferroptosis. Epidemiological studies and animal experiments have shown that ferroptosis plays an important character in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction (MI), ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), heart failure (HF), cardiac hypertrophy, cardiomyopathy, and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). This review systematically summarized the latest research progress on the mechanisms of ferroptosis. Then we report the contribution of ferroptosis in cardiovascular diseases. Finally, we discuss and analyze the therapeutic approaches targeting for ferroptosis associated with cardiovascular diseases.