Revolutionary Fatty Acid Discovery May Counteract Age-Related Vision Loss
Scientists at UC Irvine have made a significant discovery that could potentially treat age-related vision loss by reversing cellular aging in the eyes, according to recent research.
The revolutionary finding revolves around the ELOVL2 gene, which has long been acknowledged as one of the most accurate predictors of chronological age. The researchers discovered that supplementing with specific very-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFAs) can rejuvenate visual function in aging eyes. This is achieved by circumventing the natural decline in ELOVL2 enzyme activity that comes with aging.
In a series of experiments conducted on older mice, the intravitreal injection of a specific fatty acid known as 24:5n-3 significantly enhanced visual performance for up to four weeks. Interestingly, the commonly recommended omega-3 fatty acid DHA did not yield the same effect. This underlines the fact that not all “healthy fats” are equally effective in this context.
“Our work really confirms the fact that DHA alone cannot do the work, but we have this other fatty acid that is seemingly working and improving vision in aged animals,” said lead researcher Dr. Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk. “We have also shown on a molecular level that it actually reverses the aging features.”
The research team also pinpointed genetic variants in ELOVL2 associated with a faster progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This could potentially facilitate the early identification of individuals at high risk. The findings may have wider implications beyond vision, with preliminary research suggesting that the treatment could also bolster immune system health.
Source: ScienceDaily