Age‑related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of irreversible blindness in the elderly in the western world. Research has demonstrated that degenerative and progressive conditions of retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells are the key pathogenic mechanisms in AMD. Previous research has indicated the anti‑apoptosis, anti‑oxidant, anti‑inflammatory and anti‑cancer properties of quercetin. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of quercetin on the ARPE‑19 human retinal pigment epithelial cell line. ARPE‑19 cells were pretreated with various concentrations of quercetin (0‑80 µM) before exposure to 300 µM H2O2. Cell viability was assessed and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined. The importance of the NF‑E2‑related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway was corroborated by western blotting and immunostaining. The protein expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum‑associated stress responsive genes and apoptotic markers were assessed by western blotting. The results demonstrated that in the H2O2 group, cell viability was weakened, but preserved in quercetin group in a dose‑dependent manner, particularly at 20 µM. The level of ROS decreased in the quercetin group compared with the control groups. In the quercetin group, the expression levels of Nrf2 and phase II enzymes (NQO1 and HO‑1) were increased, whereas the levels of ER stress markers (binding of immunoglobulin protein, CCAAT/enhancer‑binding protein homologous protein and phosphorylated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α) were reduced. Cell apoptosis‑associated protein expression levels were altered, with the increase of B‑cell lymphoma 2 and reduction of Bcl‑2 X‑associated protein. In conclusion, quercetin protected ARPE‑19 cells from H2O2‑induced cytotoxicity by activating the Nrf2 pathway, inhibiting ER stress and targeting anti‑apoptotic proteins.

Objective The present study aimed to investigate the characteristics of macular telangiectasia type 1 (Mac tel type 1) using spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and compare them with the characteristics of mild diabetic macular edema (DME), to provide a new objective method for quick clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods A retrospective comparative analysis of 9 Mac tel type 1, 15 DME, and 15 normal eyes was performed using fluorescein angiography, spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography, and OCTA. The morphological changes, retinal vessel density, and nonperfused areas were evaluated using split‐spectrum amplitude‐decorrelation angiography algorithm. Results OCTA revealed obvious saccular capillary telangiectasia and loss of parafoveal vascular density of Mac tel type 1. However, a number of line segment hyperreflective signals around the macula and more distinct nonperfusion in DME were observed. The quantitative foveal avascular zone mean area in Mac tel type 1 was larger than that in the normal eyes (0.40 ± 0.06 mm 2 vs. 0.88 ± 0.19 mm 2 , P < 0.001). However, the area in DME (1.52 ± 0.38 mm 2 ) was larger than that in Mac tel type 1 ( P < 0.001), and the foveal zone area in DME (1.127 ± 0.05 mm 2 ) was also lager than it in Mac tel ( P < 0.05). The vascular density of the superficial layer reduced in both Mac tel type 1 and DME (compared with normal eyes). The difference between Mac tel type 1 (49.56 ± 5.23)% and DME(44.58 ± 3.82)% was significant in the superficial capillary layer ( P < 0.01). The vascular density of the retinal deep layer also reduced in both Mac tel type 1 and DME (compared with normal eyes). The difference between Mac tel type 1 (53.78 ± 7.36)% and DME (53.64 ± 4.96)% was no significant in this layer ( P > 0.05). Conclusion Morphological differences between Mac tel 1 and DME can be observed on OCTA. Superficial vascular density and non‐perfusion area may serve as a quantitative method to identify them. Lasers Surg. Med. 49:225–232, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

PURPOSE:To demonstrate the detection of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in clinically diagnosed central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) by optical coherence tomographic angiography (OCTA).METHODS:Seventy-five eyes of 70 patients were included. OCTA was performed on each patient. Two trained readers evaluated the images independently to confirm the diagnosis and identify CNV at the level of the outer retina.RESULTS:All studied eyes presented characteristics consistent with CSC based on eye examination and traditional imaging technologies, including fundus fluorescein angiography, which showed no evidence of CNV. However, OCTA revealed definite abnormal vascularization at the level of the outer retina in 8 eyes (10.7%) of 8 patients (11.4%).CONCLUSION:This study suggests that in some cases of CSC, OCTA could be an alternative option to detect CNV that is undetectable by other conventional imaging techniques.

PURPOSE: To describe optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) findings in multifocal choroiditis (MFC) with active lesions and to characterize the concordance between the OCTA and other traditional imaging modalities.DESIGN: Reliability and validity analysis.METHODS: Patients with suspected choroidal neovascularization (CNV) or acute inflammatory lesions associated with MFC were assessed in this study. All participants underwent preliminary traditional multi modal imaging including color fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence, near-infrared reflectance imaging, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and fluorescence angiography (FA). The participants were prospectively recruited to perform OCTA. OCTA findings of active lesions were compared with other traditional imaging results. Vascular flow signal representing CNV was identified, and a quantitative analysis of CNV size was performed on OCTA.RESULTS: Fifty-two eyes of 26 MFC patients (14 were bilaterally affected and 12 were unilaterally affected) were included. Among the 23 active CNV cases, 20 were confirmed on OCTA while the other 3 were invalid owing to severe motion artifacts. OCTA of CNV showed a well circumscribed vascular network (mean flow area, 0.271 mm(2) [+/- 0.144 mm(2)]). Among the 34 inflammatory lesions in 13 eyes, 32 showed no blood flow in the outer retina on OCTA while the other 2 showed blood flow signal.CONCLUSIONS: OCTA has a predominant advantage in differentiating CNV from inflammatory lesions. It also allows the visualization of detailed vascular structure of CNV and the function of flow area measurement realizes the quantitative analysis of CNV. Hence, it could be an alternative option for CNV identification and may better guide treatment. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays a critical role in the regulation of cellular redox status.It induces the expression of antioxidant enzymes and phase 2 by binding to the antioxidant response element (ARE) in the promoter region of the genes.Nrf2 may present anti-inflammation,immunodepression,antiapoptosis and neuroprotection effects when cell redox status is out of balance.It participates in the pathogenesis and development of many ocular fundus diseases,such as age-related macular degeneration,diabetic retinopathy and ischemic-hypoxic retinopathy.This review focuses on the current study and progress in Nrf2 and ocular fundus diseases.

<正>肝癌是一种常见的消化道肿瘤,全球范围内其发病率男性中位居第五,女性位居第七,而死亡率男性上升到第二位,女性第六位[1]。肝癌的高发病率与高死亡率使之成为研究热点,近年来研究发现microRNA(miRNA)的发生发展存在密切联系。