Effects of centrophenoxine on lipofuscin in the retinal pigment epithelium of old mice

Neurobiol Aging. 1983 Spring;4(1):89-95. doi: 10.1016/0197-4580(83)90059-3.

Abstract

The effects of centrophenoxine on the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of 17 month old female mice have been studied. Animals were injected subcutaneously for 3 months (60 injections) with the drug (0.1 mg/g of body wt) daily in 0.1 M phosphate buffered saline at pH 7.0. The morphological changes in the pigment layers of the retina of both eyes were studied by light and electron microscopy and the lipofuscin pigment was demonstrated by its autofluorescence and ultrastructural characteristics. There was a significant reduction of the lipofuscin pigment in the treated animals, but the melanin pigment remained unchanged. The lipofuscin granules also appeared less osmiophilic and showed a greater preponderance of membranes and vacuoles. Although the precise mechanism of action of the drug is not clear, an increased protective function of the pigment epithelium by the drug has been suggested.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aging*
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Glycolates / pharmacology*
  • Lipofuscin / metabolism*
  • Meclofenoxate / pharmacology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL / physiology*
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Pigment Epithelium of Eye / metabolism*
  • Pigment Epithelium of Eye / ultrastructure
  • Pigments, Biological / metabolism*

Substances

  • Glycolates
  • Lipofuscin
  • Pigments, Biological
  • Meclofenoxate