Physical exercise partially prevents loss of photoreceptors in the rd10 mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa

Suk Yu Yau, Stephen Agadagba

Research output: Unpublished conference presentation (presented paper, abstract, poster)Conference presentation (not published in journal/proceeding/book)Academic researchpeer-review

Abstract

Purpose
Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is a genetic disease that causes progressive photoreceptors’ death and blindness. Physical exercise has shown to be neuroprotective via elevating circulating factors, including adiponectin. We hypothesize that physical exercise protects against loss of photoreceptors in retinitis pigmentosa by increasing adiponectin signalling in the retina.
Methods
Breeding pairs of rd10 and wild type mice with C57BL/6J background at the 6-week old were housed for mating, and pregnancy was confirmed by the presence of seminal plugs. Subsequently, free-spinning (exercise) or locked (sedentary) running dishes were introduced into their cages for voluntary running until the birth of their offspring. At age of 6-week old, the offspring were sacrificed and retinal cross-sections were prepared to examine change of photoreceptor nuclei density and rods outer segment thickness by immunostaining. Two-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey’s test were used for statistical analysis.
Results
Sedentary rd10 group showed significant lower number of photoreceptor nuclei and decrease in outer segment thickness of rods when compared to sedentary wildtype mice. Rd10 exercised group exhibited a significant higher number of photoreceptor nuclei and thicker outer segment of rods when compared to sedentary counterparts, but showed significant decreases in photoreceptor nuclei number and outer segment thickness of rods when compared to the wildtype sedentary group. Physical running show no significant effects on the wildtype mice.

Conclusions
Our current data showed that physical exercise partially prevent loss of photoreceptors in adult rd10 mice, though it is unable to restore to the wildtype levels. The results suggest the beneficial effects of physical running on slowing down photoreceptor degeneration in retinitis pigmentosa. Physical exercise could be an non-invasive and early intervention on preventing/delaying photoreceptor degeneration in retinitis pigmentosa.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - May 2024
EventARVO Annual Meeting 2024 - Seattle, United States
Duration: 5 May 20249 May 2024

Conference

ConferenceARVO Annual Meeting 2024
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySeattle
Period5/05/249/05/24

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