Healthy, Happy Living May Slow Retinal Degeneration
April 13, 2011 – Italian researchers have shown that mice with retinitis pigmemtosa raised in an enriched environment for one year had slower retinal degeneration than mice reared in a typical laboratory setting. The mice living in the enriched conditions had twice as many cone cells, the cells that provide central, color and detailed vision, and the cones were healthier. The scientists believe that these study results can be translated to humans.
Environmental enrichment for the mice included larger cages, running wheels, nesting material and companionship from “helper” female mice in addition to their biological mothers. The mice were also given objects that were changed twice a week to stimulate curiosity and exploration.
The investigators believe that exercise, stimulation, social activity and reduction in stress lead to an increase in the production of neurotrophic factors, proteins that keep cells of the brain, nervous system and retina healthy.
The research team included Drs. Ilaria Barone and Enrica Strettoi of the Italian National Research Council, CNR-Neuroscience Institute, Pisa, Italy; and Elena Novelli of the GB-Bietti Foundation for Ophthalmology, Rome, Italy.
They will present a poster on their findings at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology in Ft. Lauderdale on Monday May 7, 2012, from 3:45 to 5:30 p.m.
2011年4月13日 - 意大利研究人员已经证明，在丰富的环境中提出的一年小鼠视网膜pigmemtosa速度比在一个典型的实验室环境中饲养的小鼠视网膜变性。许多视锥细胞，提供中央，颜色和详细的视力，视锥细胞，细胞健康，生活在富氧条件的小鼠的两倍。科学家们认为，这些研究成果可以转化为人类。
