Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited retinal dystrophy characterized by progressive\ndegeneration of the visual cells and abnormalities in retinal pigment epithelium, the\nvision is lost slowly, and the final outcome is total blindness. RP primarily affects rods,\nbut cones can also be affected as a secondary effect. Photoreceptor cell death is\nusually triggered by apoptosis, however the molecular mechanisms linking the rod\ndegeneration to the secondary cone death are poorly understood. Possible causes of\nthe secondary cone death are oxidative stress and/ or the release of toxic factors from\ndying rods. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of nutraceutical molecules\nwith antioxidant properties, on the progression of the disease in an established animal\nmodel of RP, and rd10 mice. We show that chronic treatment per os with a flavanone\n(naringenin) or a flavonol (quercetin) present in citrus fruits, grapes and apples, preserves\nretinal morphology, and ameliorates functionality. These actions are associated with\na significant reduction of stress-oxidative markers, such as the detoxifying enzymes\nSod1 and Sod2. In addition, naringenin and quercetin treatment reduces the levels of\nacrolein staining associated with a reduction of ROS in the cellular environment. The\nstudy demonstrates the beneficial effects of naringenin and quercetin, two molecules\nthat possess antioxidant properties, limiting neurodegeneration, and thus preventing\ncone damage.
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