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THE MAGNIFIER Issue #27, December 16, 2004
Newsletter from the Macular Degeneration Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 531313 Henderson, NV 89053
http://www.eyesight.org
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STUDY SHOWS STEM CELLS CAN PRESERVE VISION
Schepen Eye Research Institute
BOSTON, Nov. 18 PRNewswire
"For the first time researchers have shown that transplanted stem cells can preserve and improve vision in
eyes damaged by retinal disease. In the cover article in the November 2004 Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, scientists from Harvard's Schepens Eye Research Institute describe results of a mouse study in which
transplanted stem cells develop into retinal cells, prevent the death of "at risk" retina cells in the recipient mice and improve the vision of those treated mice.
'These findings hold great promise for potential
treatments for people suffering from macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases,' says Michael Young, PhD, an assistant scientist at Schepens Eye Research Institute and the lead author of the study.
The retina is a tissue-thin membrane at the back of the eye responsible for sending light and images from the outside world through the optic nerve to the brain, which interprets them. The retina contains light sensitive
cells, known as rods, which make it possible for us to see in black and white in low light, and cones, which are responsible for color and high-acuity vision. In diseases such as Macular Degeneration, it is these cells that
are being destroyed.
Believing that stem cells (cells that have the capacity to change into other kinds of cells) could potentially save vision, Young and his team decided to test their theory in mice. They
transplanted retinal stem cells from young "green" mice into the eyes of normal-colored mice that had retinal disease. Green mice are genetically raised so that all their tissues are fluorescent green. The green
color makes it possible to detect where the transplanted cells are and how they are growing and changing. After several weeks the team evaluated the eyes of the treated mice and found that the green cells had migrated to
where they were needed in the damaged retina and had changed into what looked like normal retinal cells. The scientists also found that many of the cone cells that were on the verge of dying before the transplant appeared to regain
or retain their function.
The researchers speculated that the transplanted cells were secreting a factor or substance that saved these fragile cells. (There is growing evidence that rod cells keep cone cells alive by
secreting a special factor.)
To test whether the mice with transplanted stem cells could see better, the team then placed them and the control mice (without the transplants or with non-stem cell transplants) in dark cages
and flashed a series of increasingly lower level lights at both groups over a period of time. Mice are photophobic and stop their normal activity when they detect light. The researchers took advantage of this natural
response and found that the mice with the transplanted tissue continued to respond to the light as it reached the lowest levels. The control mice did not.
These are the first steps toward the use of stem cells for
saving existing vision and then, down the road, restoring vision that has already been lost,' says Young, who believes that stems cells will have many roles to play in the fight against blinding diseases.
Young and his team
are now investigating the same phenomenon in pigs, whose eyes are larger and more like human eyes."
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THE LATEST ON LYCOPENE
"What do spaghetti
sauce, ketchup and watermelon have in common? They are good sources of the antioxidant, lycopene. Currently under investigation for a variety of health benefits, lycopene may help lower the risk for certain types of
cancer, macular degeneration and heart disease. Just what is lycopene and what do we know about it?
Here is the latest.
Lycopene, is a red, fatsoluble pigment found in many fruits and vegetables. A member of the
carotenoid family, it is the compound that gives tomatoes, pink grapefruit, watermelon and other fruits their red color. Current research indicates that lycopene possesses anti-oxidant properties. Anti-oxidants work to repair and
prevent the action of activated oxygen molecules, known as free radicals, which can cause damage to cells in the body. Damage by free radicals may lead to certain cancers, blockage of the arteries, joint deterioration and aging.
Lycopene is considered one of the more potent antioxidants in the carotenoid family. In fact, its anti-oxidant activity is at least twice as great as beta-carotene, another carotenoid that is believed to provide health
benefits. One possible explanation for this observation is that, unlike other carotenoids, lycopene is not converted to vitamin A when ingested, a process shown to weaken the antioxidant properties of carotenoids.
Tomatoes
and tomato-based products like tomato sauce, tomato paste and ketchup are our richest sources of lycopene. According to initial studies, cooked or processed tomatoes are a better source of lycopene than raw tomatoes or tomato juice
because heating causes a chemical change in lycopene that allows it to be absorbed by the body more easily. Other important dietary sources of lycopene include watermelon, pink grapefruit, guava, apricots and papaya.
Research concerning lycopene's association with macular degeneration, cholesterol, and serum lipid oxidation is still ongoing.
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BACKSEAT DRIVER!
An elderly
woman called 911 on her cell phone to report that her car has been broken into. She is hysterical as she explains her situation to the dispatcher. "They've stolen the stereo, the steering wheel, the brake pedal and even
the accelerator!" she cried. The dispatcher said, "Stay calm. An officer is on the way." A few minutes later, the officer radios in. "Disregard," he says, "She
got in the backseat by mistake."
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CONTACTING MDF
To speak to a support representative directly, you may call 1-888-633-3937. If you reach our voice mail, please speak
slowly and distinctly.
ORDERING BOOKS & TAPES
When purchasing items from Amazon.com, please remember to use the MDF search box located at http://www.eyesight.org/Books/books.html . By simply originating your
search from our website, Amazon rewards the Foundation with a small commission from each product you order. Thank you.
MAKING CONTRIBUTIONS:
Please make checks payable to Macular Degeneration Foundation, Inc., P.O.
Box 531313, Henderson, Nevada 89053, or you may use your credit card on our web site http://www.eyesight.org/Donations/donations.html . Your contributions make our services available as a support system for macular
degeneration patients in the following ways:
1. We provide toll-free lines for personal contact assistance.
2. We mail brochures and other printed materials upon request.
3. We support an award-winning web site that
provides the latest up-to-date information.
4. We fund research proposal grants to provide therapies for both the wet and dry form of AMD. Contributions marked "research" are used 100% for research.
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PRODUCTS FOR LOW VISION
To order the eye supplement that is endorsed by the Macular Degeneration Foundation, OPTOTABS, visit http://www.optogon.com. This site also provides
low-vision products that have given many victims of vision loss the ability to read important documents. Call this toll-free number for more information 800-924-4393. A percent of the proceeds from the sale of these
items is invested into Macular Degeneration Research.
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MDF was founded in 1992 by Edmund J. Aleksandrovich Ph.D (a victim of macular degeneration). It provides MD patients and
their families with the information necessary to understand the disease, the latest news concerning ways to cope with the disease, and supports the efforts of researchers to find a cure.
Subscribers who wish to cancel their
subscription or change their email address may visit: http://www.eyesight.org/Newsletter/newsletter.html .
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