tear-derived-exosomal-mir-15a-as-new-diagnostic-tool-for-diabetic

Tear-Derived Exosomal miR-15a as New Diagnostic Tool for Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major complication of diabetes mellitus, affecting a significant percentage of the diabetic population. Early diagnosis and ...

Universiti Malaya

Universiti Malaya Medical Centre

Oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells plays a key role in the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss in the elderly. Thymoquinone, a bioactive antioxidant from Nigella sativa, has shown promise in reducing cellular oxidative stress. In AMD, prolonged exposure to oxidative stress may activate the NF-κβ signalling pathway in RPE cells, contributing to chronic inflammation, and its regulation by thymoquinone remains understudied. This study investigates the effects of thymoquinone in TNFα-induced RPE cells exposed to AGEs to mimic ageing conditions relevant for AMD. Gene and protein expression levels of NF-κβ pathway markers (P65, pP65 and Iκβα) were measured using qPCR and Western blotting, and statistical analysis was performed using Student's -test and one-way ANOVA. Thymoquinone pretreatment at 0.1 µM and 10 µM significantly reduced the expression of these markers in TNFα-stimulated RPE cells. Notably, AGE-exposed cells demonstrated a heightened response to thymoquinone compared to non-AGE-exposed controls. These findings suggest that thymoquinone modulates NF-κβ signalling and may serve as a potential adjuvant therapeutic agent for AMD.

Nur Musfirah Mahmud

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