Prev: Without love, friendship is hard.
Next: NEJM Articles: Cardiovascular Safety of Diabetes Therapies
From: Charly Coughran on 10 Sep 2008 13:03
admin(a)ng2000.com wrote in news:533793233634744.Post(a)ithinknot.net:

>
> http://www.ng2000.com/fw.php?tp=diabetes
>
> Washington, Sept 10 : While diabetes can make the beautifully
> stratified retina look like over-fried bacon, scientists are
> claiming that a drug, called pentazocine, known for its
> pain-relieving power can prevent the retinal damage that leads to
> vision loss.

The site above is a list of current items which has apparently changed
since the OP was there. The paper can be found at:

http://www.iovs.org/cgi/content/full/49/9/4154

Super short abstract: mouse study.

Full abstract:

PURPOSE. To evaluate the neuroprotective properties of the sigma
receptor 1 ({sigma}R1) ligand, (+)-pentazocine in an in vivo model of
retinal neurodegeneration.

METHODS. Spontaneously diabetic Ins2Akita/+ and wild-type mice
received intraperitoneal injections of (+)-pentazocine for 22 weeks
beginning at diabetes onset. Retinal mRNA and protein were analyzed by
RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Retinal histologic sections were
measured to determine total retinal thickness, thicknesses of
inner�outer nuclear and plexiform layers (INL, ONL, IPL, INL), and the
number of cell bodies in the ganglion cell layer (GCL). Immunolabeling
experiments were performed using antibodies specific for 4-
hydroxynonenal and nitrotyrosine, markers of lipid peroxidation, and
reactive nitrogen species, respectively, and an antibody specific for
vimentin to view radial M�ller fibers.

RESULTS. {sigma}R1 mRNA and protein levels in the Ins2Akita/+ retina
were comparable to those in the wild-type, indicating that {sigma}R1
is an available target during the disease process. Histologic
evaluation of eyes of Ins2Akita/+ mice showed disruption of retinal
architecture. By 17 to 25 weeks after birth, Ins2Akita/+ mice
demonstrated ~30% and 25% decreases in IPL and INL thicknesses,
respectively, and a 30% reduction in ganglion cells. In the (+)-
pentazocine-treated group, retinas of Ins2Akita/+ mice showed
remarkable preservation of retinal architecture; IPL and INL
thicknesses of (+)-pentazocine-treated Ins2Akita/+ mouse retinas were
within normal limits. The number of ganglion cells was 15.6 � 1.5
versus 10.4 � 1.2 cells/100 �m retinal length in (+)-pentazocine-
treated versus nontreated mutant mice. Levels of nitrotyrosine and 4-
hydroxynonenal increased in Ins2Akita/+ retinas, but were reduced in
(+)-pentazocine-treated mice. Retinas of Ins2Akita/+ mice showed loss
of the uniform organization of radial M�ller fibers. Retinas of (+)-
pentazocine-treated mice maintained the radial organization of glial
processes.

CONCLUSION. Sustained (+)-pentazocine treatment in an in vivo model of
retinal degeneration conferred significant neuroprotection, reduced
evidence of oxidative stress, and preserved retinal architecture,
suggesting that {sigma}R1 ligands are promising therapeutic agents for
intervention in neurodegenerative diseases of the retina.

--
-------
Charly Coughran
ccoughran(a)DELETE-TO-RESPOND-UCSD.EDU
From: dorsy1943 on 16 Sep 2008 07:22
On Sep 10, 1:03 pm, Charly Coughran <ccough...(a)REMOVE-TO-DELETE-
UCSD.EDU> wrote:
> ad...(a)ng2000.com wrote innews:533793233634744.Post(a)ithinknot.net:
>
>
>
> >http://www.ng2000.com/fw.php?tp=diabetes
>
> > Washington, Sept 10 : While diabetes can make the beautifully
> > stratified retina look like over-fried bacon, scientists are
> > claiming that a drug, called pentazocine, known for its
> > pain-relieving power can prevent the retinal damage that leads to
> > vision loss.
>
> The site above is a list of current items which has apparently changed
> since the OP was there.  The paper can be found at:
>
> http://www.iovs.org/cgi/content/full/49/9/4154
>
> Super short abstract:  mouse study.
>
> Full abstract:
>
> PURPOSE. To evaluate the neuroprotective properties of the sigma
> receptor 1 ({sigma}R1) ligand, (+)-pentazocine in an in vivo model of
> retinal neurodegeneration.
>
> METHODS. Spontaneously diabetic Ins2Akita/+ and wild-type mice
> received intraperitoneal injections of (+)-pentazocine for 22 weeks
> beginning at diabetes onset. Retinal mRNA and protein were analyzed by
> RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Retinal histologic sections were
> measured to determine total retinal thickness, thicknesses of
> inner–outer nuclear and plexiform layers (INL, ONL, IPL, INL), and the
> number of cell bodies in the ganglion cell layer (GCL). Immunolabeling
> experiments were performed using antibodies specific for 4-
> hydroxynonenal and nitrotyrosine, markers of lipid peroxidation, and
> reactive nitrogen species, respectively, and an antibody specific for
> vimentin to view radial Müller fibers.
>
> RESULTS. {sigma}R1 mRNA and protein levels in the Ins2Akita/+ retina
> were comparable to those in the wild-type, indicating that {sigma}R1
> is an available target during the disease process. Histologic
> evaluation of eyes of Ins2Akita/+ mice showed disruption of retinal
> architecture. By 17 to 25 weeks after birth, Ins2Akita/+ mice
> demonstrated ~30% and 25% decreases in IPL and INL thicknesses,
> respectively, and a 30% reduction in ganglion cells. In the (+)-
> pentazocine-treated group, retinas of Ins2Akita/+ mice showed
> remarkable preservation of retinal architecture; IPL and INL
> thicknesses of (+)-pentazocine-treated Ins2Akita/+ mouse retinas were
> within normal limits. The number of ganglion cells was 15.6 ± 1.5
> versus 10.4 ± 1.2 cells/100 µm retinal length in (+)-pentazocine-
> treated versus nontreated mutant mice. Levels of nitrotyrosine and 4-
> hydroxynonenal increased in Ins2Akita/+ retinas, but were reduced in
> (+)-pentazocine-treated mice. Retinas of Ins2Akita/+ mice showed loss
> of the uniform organization of radial Müller fibers. Retinas of (+)-
> pentazocine-treated mice maintained the radial organization of glial
> processes.
>
> CONCLUSION. Sustained (+)-pentazocine treatment in an in vivo model of
> retinal degeneration conferred significant neuroprotection, reduced
> evidence of oxidative stress, and preserved retinal architecture,
> suggesting that {sigma}R1 ligands are promising therapeutic agents for
> intervention in neurodegenerative diseases of the retina.
>
> --
> -------
> Charly Coughran
> ccough...(a)DELETE-TO-RESPOND-UCSD.EDU

Charly, I have my retinas checked about twice a year and there are no
problems so far, but I did develop posterior vitreous detachment over
the past couple of years (flashing lights are a sign of the detachment
and it is followed by floaters in the eye--very annoying--and this
could eventually cause detachment of the retina.) The flashing lights
and floaters could also be a sign of retinal detachment which is why I
go twice a year to be checked.

Do you know if the pvd is a complication of diabetes or due to other
causes and it is just coincidental that I have diabetes.

Thanks, Dolores
 | 
Pages: 1
Prev: Without love, friendship is hard.
Next: NEJM Articles: Cardiovascular Safety of Diabetes Therapies