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dc.contributor.advisorCasson, Robert Jamesen
dc.contributor.advisorWood, Johnen
dc.contributor.authorHan, Guogeen
dc.date.issued2014en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/92043-
dc.description.abstractEnergy failure is a possible pathogenic component of a number of common blinding disorders, including vascular retinopathies, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. An overarching premise of the bioenergetics-based research from the research group in which I conducted my studies is that if energy failure constitutes a pathogenic component in ocular disease, then provision of energy or the means of the diseased tissue to create its own additional energy may well presented a valid and viable therapeutic solution. One such approach has been to provide an additional supply of glucose to a tissue since this monosaccharide is used by the majority of cells as the primary fuel source for the generation of cellular energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Previous in vivo research from the group has demonstrated that elevated vitreal glucose levels afforded robust neuroprotection to the retina and optic nerve in experimental model of acute and subacute ischaemic retinal injury, and in a rat model of laser-induced glaucoma. The current research focussed on aspects of retinal energy metabolism, and in particular, the mechanisms by which glucose can act as a neuroprotectant under conditions of compromised energy production in the retina. Another aim was to translate this research to the clinic and assess the effect of elevated vitreal glucose levels on visual function in glaucoma patients. The current thesis comprises four original papers and one perspectives paper. The first paper characterised an in vitro model of metabolic impairment to rat retinal cultures, using the mitochondrial complex I inhibitor, rotenone. Subsequently, the protective effect to retina cells of glucose was investigated in this model, and the effects compared with other known energy substrates (pyruvate and lactate). A variety of methods, including immunocytochemistry, Western blot and TUNEL staining were used to determine neuronal and glia cell viability. Cellular energy levels were determined by luminescent ATP assays and reduction and oxidation (REDOX) power was assessed by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) assay. Metabolic pathways were modified with specific inhibitors. The findings from this series of experiments supported the hypothesis that the mechanism by which glucose protects the retina in the presence of mitochondrial impairment is principally via glycolysis- generated ATP. Moreover, the glucose- stimulated anti-oxidant production via the pentose phosphate pathway also contributed to the neuroprotection. In the second paper, we investigated neuronal and glial death and damage mechanism in response to rotenone treatment, with a particular focus on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and the signalling pathways involving calcium-activated neutral protease-μ (calpain-μ) and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β). We found that retinal cultures were modulated via different mechanisms according to the cell-type and the degree of reduction of ATP. Overall, retinal neurons that were subjected to rapid ATP depletion in response to rotenone, underwent non-apoptotic death involving generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of calpain-μ. In contrast, glial cells, which are relatively resistant to mitochondrial damage, were damaged via a combination of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and deactivation of GSK3β. The appendix paper provided a brief perspective on a possible explanation for the existence of aerobic glycolysis (the Warburg effect) in the mammalian retina. It was hypothesized that the rhodopsin turnover drives the Warburg effect in a similar manner to a proliferating tissue. Recently, a specific pyruvate kinase isoenzyme (PKM2) has been suggested to be a key mediator of the Warburg effect in cancer. The third paper (manuscript in preparation) characterizes the distribution of PK isoenzymes in the rodent retina and brain. PKM2 was distributed in the outer retina, particularly at the level of the photoreceptor inner segments. Minimal PKM2 was detected in the inner retina of rodents, mirroring the pattern in the brain; however, the outer retina labelling was remarkably similar to cancerous tissue. The current body of work culminates in the fourth paper, which translated the laboratory finding to a clinical trial. In a preliminary study on patients with epiretinal membranes scheduled for routine vitrectomy, we demonstrated that concentrated 50% topical glucose treatment significantly increased the vitreous glucose concentration in pseudophakic patients. We then conducted a randomized, double blind, crossover trial on 29 eyes of 16 pseudophakic patients with severe primary open-angle glaucoma. We assessed the effect of intensive topical glucose on visual psychophysical parameters. Saline (0.9%) was used as a control in an initial study and a follow-up study used osmoticallymatched (8%) saline as a control. Glucose significantly improved the mean contrast sensitivity at 12 cycles/degree compared to 0.9% saline by 0.26 log units (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.13 – 0.38; P < 0.001); and in the follow–up study by 0.40 log units (95% CI: 0.17 – 0.60; P < 0.001). Neither the intraocular pressure (IOP), refraction, nor the central corneal thickness were affected by glucose; age was not a significant predictor of the response. In conclusion, these studies add valuable information to the literature concerned with bioenergeticbased protection to ocular and, in particular, retinal cells. Furthermore, the clinical study presented in the final chapter actually demonstrates a confirmation of the “proof-of-principle” for bioenergetics neurprotection as a treatment strategy for retinal and optic nerve diseases. Similar strategies could now conceivably be applied to other retinal diseases. Finally, a better understanding of the unusual retinal energy metabolism, as discussed in the preceding chapters, is likely to shed light on disease pathogenesis and provide information that could potentially be translated to the clinic.en
dc.subjectglucose; retina; energy metabolismen
dc.titleAspects of retinal energy metabolism.en
dc.typeThesisen
dc.contributor.schoolSchool of Medicineen
dc.provenanceThis electronic version is made publicly available by the University of Adelaide in accordance with its open access policy for student theses. Copyright in this thesis remains with the author. This thesis may incorporate third party material which has been used by the author pursuant to Fair Dealing exceptions. If you are the owner of any included third party copyright material you wish to be removed from this electronic version, please complete the take down form located at: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/legalsen
dc.provenanceCopyright material removed from digital thesis. See print copy in University of Adelaide Library for full text.en
dc.description.dissertationThesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Medicine, 2014en
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