Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA): A Targeted Antioxidant Strategy to Counter Oxidative Stress in Retinopathy
Omega-3 fatty acids are critical components of cell membranes, including those in the retina. Specifically, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the primary omega-3 fatty acids that have been studied for their potential benefits in retinal health, preventing the progression...
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2024-12-01
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| Series: | Antioxidants |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/1/6 |
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| author | Marco Zeppieri Caterina Gagliano Fabiana D’Esposito Mutali Musa Irene Gattazzo Maria Sole Zanella Federico Bernardo Rossi Alessandro Galan Silvia Babighian |
| author_facet | Marco Zeppieri Caterina Gagliano Fabiana D’Esposito Mutali Musa Irene Gattazzo Maria Sole Zanella Federico Bernardo Rossi Alessandro Galan Silvia Babighian |
| author_sort | Marco Zeppieri |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Omega-3 fatty acids are critical components of cell membranes, including those in the retina. Specifically, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the primary omega-3 fatty acids that have been studied for their potential benefits in retinal health, preventing the progression of retinopathy. Several studies have shown that a higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a lower risk of developing diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Reviewing clinical trials and observational studies that support the protective role of omega-3s in retinal disorders is essential. This comprehensive review aims to evaluate the current literature on the role of omega-3 fatty acids, exploring their mechanisms of action and anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, and neuroprotective roles in the retina. Omega-3s have been shown to inhibit abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina, which is a significant factor in proliferative diabetic retinopathy and neovascular AMD. Furthermore, omega-3 fatty acids are often studied with other nutrients, such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamins, for their synergistic effects on retinal health. Reviewing these combinations can help understand how omega-3s can be part of a comprehensive approach to preventing or treating retinopathies, especially in diabetic patients. This review emphasizes the preventive function of EPA and DHA in alleviating oxidative stress-related damage in retinal diseases, concentrating on their antioxidative mechanisms. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-49b55f7b9a344369ab6e998169edc0db |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3921 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Antioxidants |
| spelling | doaj-art-49b55f7b9a344369ab6e998169edc0db2025-01-24T13:19:04ZengMDPI AGAntioxidants2076-39212024-12-01141610.3390/antiox14010006Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA): A Targeted Antioxidant Strategy to Counter Oxidative Stress in RetinopathyMarco Zeppieri0Caterina Gagliano1Fabiana D’Esposito2Mutali Musa3Irene Gattazzo4Maria Sole Zanella5Federico Bernardo Rossi6Alessandro Galan7Silvia Babighian8Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Udine, 33100 Udine, ItalyDepartment of Medicine and Surgery, University of Enna “Kore”, 94100 Enna, ItalyImperial College Ophthalmic Research Group (ICORG) Unit, Imperial College, 153–173 Marylebone Rd, London NW1 5QH, UKDepartment of Optometry, University of Benin, Benin City 300238, Edo State, NigeriaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Ospedale Sant’Antonio, Azienda Ospedaliera, 35127 Padova, ItalyDepartment of Ophthalmology, Ospedale Sant’Antonio, Azienda Ospedaliera, 35127 Padova, ItalyPhD Program, Arterial Hypertension and Vascular Biology ARHYVAB, University of Padua, 35121 Padova, ItalyDepartment of Ophthalmology, Ospedale Sant’Antonio, Azienda Ospedaliera, 35127 Padova, ItalyDepartment of Ophthalmology, Ospedale Sant’Antonio, Azienda Ospedaliera, 35127 Padova, ItalyOmega-3 fatty acids are critical components of cell membranes, including those in the retina. Specifically, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are the primary omega-3 fatty acids that have been studied for their potential benefits in retinal health, preventing the progression of retinopathy. Several studies have shown that a higher intake of omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a lower risk of developing diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Reviewing clinical trials and observational studies that support the protective role of omega-3s in retinal disorders is essential. This comprehensive review aims to evaluate the current literature on the role of omega-3 fatty acids, exploring their mechanisms of action and anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic, and neuroprotective roles in the retina. Omega-3s have been shown to inhibit abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina, which is a significant factor in proliferative diabetic retinopathy and neovascular AMD. Furthermore, omega-3 fatty acids are often studied with other nutrients, such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamins, for their synergistic effects on retinal health. Reviewing these combinations can help understand how omega-3s can be part of a comprehensive approach to preventing or treating retinopathies, especially in diabetic patients. This review emphasizes the preventive function of EPA and DHA in alleviating oxidative stress-related damage in retinal diseases, concentrating on their antioxidative mechanisms.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/1/6omega-3 fatty acidsdiabetic retinopathyage-related macular degeneration |
| spellingShingle | Marco Zeppieri Caterina Gagliano Fabiana D’Esposito Mutali Musa Irene Gattazzo Maria Sole Zanella Federico Bernardo Rossi Alessandro Galan Silvia Babighian Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA): A Targeted Antioxidant Strategy to Counter Oxidative Stress in Retinopathy Antioxidants omega-3 fatty acids diabetic retinopathy age-related macular degeneration |
| title | Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA): A Targeted Antioxidant Strategy to Counter Oxidative Stress in Retinopathy |
| title_full | Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA): A Targeted Antioxidant Strategy to Counter Oxidative Stress in Retinopathy |
| title_fullStr | Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA): A Targeted Antioxidant Strategy to Counter Oxidative Stress in Retinopathy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA): A Targeted Antioxidant Strategy to Counter Oxidative Stress in Retinopathy |
| title_short | Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA): A Targeted Antioxidant Strategy to Counter Oxidative Stress in Retinopathy |
| title_sort | eicosapentaenoic acid epa and docosahexaenoic acid dha a targeted antioxidant strategy to counter oxidative stress in retinopathy |
| topic | omega-3 fatty acids diabetic retinopathy age-related macular degeneration |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/1/6 |
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