Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the main causes of deterioration in vision in adults aged 55 and older. In spite of therapies, the progression of the disease is often observed without reverse vision quality. In the present study, we explored whether, in undifferentiated ARPE-19 retinal cells, a disruption of the VEGF receptors (VEGF-R)/caveolin-1 (Cav-1)/protein kinases pathway could be a target for counteracting VEGF secretion. We highlight that Resvega®, a combination of omega-3 fatty acids with an antioxidant, resveratrol, inhibits VEGF-A secretion in vitro by disrupting the dissociation of the VEGF-R2/Cav-1 complex into rafts and subsequently preventing MAPK activation. Moreover, DNA ChIP analysis reveals that this combination prevents the interaction between AP-1 and vegf-a and vegf-r2 gene promoters. By these pathways, Resvega could present a potential interest as nutritional complementation against AMD.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an irreversible chronic degenerative pathology that affects the retina. Despite therapeutic advances thanks to the use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents, resistance mechanisms have been found to accentuate the visual deficit. In the present study, we explored whether a nutraceutical formulation composed of omega-3 fatty acids and resveratrol, called Resvega®, was able to disrupt VEGF-A secretion in human ARPE-19 retina cells. We found that Resvega® inhibits VEGF-A secretion through decreases in both the PI3K-AKT-mTOR and NFκB signaling pathways. In NFκB signaling pathways, Resvega® inhibits the phosphorylation of the inhibitor of NFκB, IκB, which can bind NFκB dimers and sequester them in the cytoplasm. Thus, the NFκB subunits cannot migrate to the nucleus where they normally bind and stimulate the transcription of target genes such as VEGF-A. The IκB kinase complex (IKK) is also affected by Resvega® since the nutraceutical formulation decreases both IKKα and IKKβ subunits and the IKKγ subunit which is required for the stimulation of IKK. Very interestingly, we highlight that Resvega® could prolong the anti-angiogenic effect of Avastin®, which is an anti-VEGF agent typically used in clinical practice. Our results suggest that Resvega® may have potential interest as nutritional supplementation against AMD.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most commonly occurring ocular diseases worldwide. This degenerative condition affects the retina and leads to the loss of central vision. The current treatments are focused on the late stage of the disease, but recent studies have highlighted the importance and benefits of preventive treatments and how good dietary habits can reduce the risk of progression to an advanced form of the disease. In this context, we studied whether resveratrol (RSV) or a polyphenolic cocktail, red wine extract (RWE), are able to prevent the initiating events of AMD (i.e., oxidative stress and inflammation) in human ARPE-19 retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and macrophages. This study highlights that RWE and RSV can prevent hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or 2,2'-Azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidative stress and can subsequently prevent DNA damage via the inhibition of the ATM (ataxia telangiectasia-mutated)/Chk2 (checkpoint kinase 2) or Chk1 signaling pathways, respectively. Moreover, ELISA assays show that RWE and RSV can prevent the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in RPE cells and in human macrophages. Interestingly, RWE exhibits a greater protective impact compared to RSV alone, even though RSV was more concentrated when used alone than in the red wine extract. Our results suggest that RWE and RSV may have potential interest as preventive nutritional supplementations against AMD.

Despite the medico-surgical progress that has been made in the management of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), the prognosis at five years remains poor. This resistance of cancer cells partly results from their phenotypic characteristics in connection with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In the present study, we have explored the ability of a polyphenol, tannic acid (TA), to counteract CRC cell proliferation and invasion through an action on the EMT. We highlight that TA decreases human SW480 and SW620 CRC cell and murine CT26 CRC cell viability, and TA inhibits their adhesion in the presence of important factors comprising the extracellular matrix, particularly in the presence of collagen type I and IV, and fibronectin. Moreover, these properties were associated with TA's ability to disrupt CRC cell migration and invasion, which are induced by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), as evidence in the video microscopy experiments showing that TA blocks the TGF-β1-induced migration of SW480 and CT26 cells. At the molecular level, TA promotes a reversal of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition by repressing the mesenchymal markers (i.e., Slug, Snail, ZEB1, and N-cadherin) and re-expressing the epithelial markers (i.e., E-cadherin and β-catenin). These effects could result from a disruption of the non-canonical signaling pathway that is induced by TGF-β1, where TA strongly decreases the phosphorylation of extracellular-signal regulated kinase ERK1/2, P38 and the AKT proteins that are well known to contribute to the EMT, the cell motility, and the acquisition of invasive properties by tumor cells. Very interestingly, a preclinical study of mice with subcutaneous murine tumor colon CT26 cells has shown that TA was able to significantly delay the growth of tumors without hepato- and nephrotoxicities.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative disease of the retina where the molecular mechanism involves the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a factor of poor prognosis of the progression of the disease. Previous studies have shown that resveratrol, a polyphenol of grapevines, can prevent VEGF secretion induced by stress from retinal cells. Considering the fundamental role played by VEGF in development and progression of AMD, we investigate the potential effect of red wine extract (RWE) on VEGF secretion and its signaling pathway in human retinal cells ARPE-19. To examine the effect of RWE in ARPE-19, a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the RWE was performed by HPLC MS/MS. We show for the first time that RWE decreased VEGF-A secretion from ARPE-19 cells and its protein expression in concentration-dependent manner. RWE-induced alteration in VEGF-A production is associated with a down of VEGF-receptor 2 (VEGF-R2) protein expression and its phosphorylated intracytoplasmic domain. Subsequently, the activation of kinase pathway is disturbing and RWE prevents the phosphorylation of MEK and ERK 1/2 in human retinal cells ARPE-19. Finally, this study sheds light on the interest that the use of polyphenolic cocktails could represent in a prevention strategy.

Eye diseases are currently a major public health concern due to the growing number of cases resulting from both an aging of populations and exogenous factors linked to our lifestyles. Thus, many treatments including surgical pharmacological approaches have emerged, and special attention has been paid to prevention, where diet plays a preponderant role. Recently, potential antioxidants such as resveratrol have received much attention as potential tools against various ocular diseases. In this review, we focus on the mechanisms of resveratrol against ocular diseases, in particular age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and vitreoretinopathy. We analyze, in relation to the different steps of each disease, the resveratrol properties at multiple levels, such as cellular and molecular signaling as well as physiological effects. We show and discuss the relationship to reactive oxygen species, the regulation of inflammatory process, and how resveratrol can prevent ocular diseases through a potential epigenetic action by the activation of sirtuin-1. Lastly, various new forms of resveratrol delivery are emerging at the same time as some clinical trials are raising more questions about the future of resveratrol as a potential tool for prevention or in therapeutic strategies against ocular diseases. More preclinical studies are required to provide further insights into RSV's potential adjuvant activity.