Compound reduces severity of wet AMD

New research by Massachusetts Eye and Ear researchers suggests that it may be possible to prevent vision loss from wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by increasing the expression of specific bioactive liquid metabolites in the retina.

Scientists were able to reduce the severity of wet AMD in mice using a compound of bioactive products from a major family of enzymes.

The study authors observed: “Abnormal blood vessel growth occurs in many common diseases, from cancers and cardiovascular diseases to ocular conditions like AMD and is thus a major target of many recent treatment approaches.”

The research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, identified key compounds of the cytochrome P450 metabolic pathway that are responsible for resolving abnormal vascular growth in AMD.

The authors reported that the compounds modulate the recruitment of inflammatory immune cells.

“We believe these findings have significant therapeutic implications not only for AMD but also for other inflammatory disorders,” the authors concluded.