Combination of Neuroprotective and Regenerative Agents for AGE-Induced Retinal Degeneration: In Vitro Study

Figure 6

Representative photographs of regenerating neurites from retinal explants. Regenerating neurites are seen under phase-contrast microscope. In the control serum-free media (a) neurites with normal length are present. In retinas cultured in glucose-AGE-BSA (g), the neurites are shorter, and the number of neurites are fewer. In AGEs-exposed retinas supplemented with NT-4, in doublet media and triplet media (glucose-AGE-BSA + NT-4 (l), glucose-AGE-BSA + doublet (j), and glucose-AGE-BSA + triplet (k)), the neurites are longer and thicker than in AGEs-exposed retinas (g). In AGEs-exposed retinas supplemented with citicoline, TUDCA, and RAGE inhibitor (glucose-AGE-BSA + citicoline (h), glucose-AGE-BSA + TUDCA (i), and glucose-AGE-BSA + inhibitor (m)), the neurites are longer and thicker than in AGEs-exposed retinas (g). Control group: serum-free media + citicoline (b), serum-free media + TUDCA (c), serum-free media + doublet (d), serum-free media + triplet (e), and serum-free media + NT-4 (f).