The Zinc-Metallothionein Redox System Reduces Oxidative Stress in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells.

ABSTRACT: Oxidative stress affects all the structures of the human eye, particularly the retina and its retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The RPE limits oxidative damage by several protective mechanisms, including the non-enzymatic antioxidant system zinc-metallothionein (Zn-MT). This work aimed to investigate the role of Zn-MT in the protection of RPE from the oxidative damage of reactive oxygen intermediates by analytical and biochemical-based techniques. The Zn-MT system was induced in an in vitro model of RPE cells and determined by elemental mass spectrometry with enriched isotopes and mathematical calculations. Induced-oxidative stress was quantified using fluorescent probes. We observed that 25, 50 or 100 μM of zinc induced Zn-MT synthesis (1.6-, 3.6- and 11.9-fold, respectively), while pre-t

SUBMITTER: Rodriguez-Menendez S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6315569 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature