Could exercise improve retinal function? Effects of different physical training protocols on clusterin/ApoJ metabolism in retinal in aged mice

• Grant number: 20/04878-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): November 01, 2020
• Effective date (End): October 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Principal Investigator: Leandro Pereira de Moura
• Grantee: Thaís Dantis Pereira de Campos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas (FCA). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Limeira , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/07199-2 - Role of clusterin/ApoJ on insulin signalling in response to physical exercise in rodents and humans, AP.JP

Abstract

Aging is a natural life-cycle process characterized by progressive loss of tissue function and increased susceptibility to injury and disease, commonly associated with systemic inflammation. This picture is linked to damage to health and is increasing its incidence worldwide, especially in developed countries. This "inflammatory aging" has been correlated as responsible for the appearance of various eye diseases and consequently the damage in visual acuity. More specifically, glycated hemoglobin levels, oxidative stress, and inflammation appear to be associated with lacrimal gland dysfunction, leading to the development and worsening of Cerato-Conjunctivitis Sicca or popularly known as Dry Eye Disease. In more severe and extreme cases, the condition of obesity and inflammation can trigger severe vision impairment. In this scenario, in addition to its numerous metabolic functions, clusterin has been described as protective of the ocular surface by a sealing mechanism that assists in cell survival. On the other hand, it is well known that exercise can act as an important non-pharmacological tool to combat inflammation. However, no study has yet investigated whether regular exercise and different protocols can modulate retinal tear levels and retinal signaling pathways and thus improve visual acuity. Therefore, the present study will aim to elucidate the role of different protocols of short-term physical exercise (aerobic and strength) in the metabolism of clusterin and pro and anti-inflammatory proteins in the retina of aged mice. As preliminary results, through bioinformatics, we observed that there are genes of clusterin and its receptor LRP2 in the retina of mice. Going forward, with the project already underway, we observed that elderly mice, with 25 months of age, showed a reduction in kITT values compared to the young group, mice with 2 months of age. Upon completion of this study, it is expected to find out whether exercise is capable of promoting changes in the eye system and if so, whether through clusterin metabolism, this practice can improve visual acuity. (AU)