Spectral and color temperature dependence of LED exposure on retinal damage and the protective effects of neohesperidin

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the effects of LEDs with different spectra and correlated color temperatures on the retina, as well as the protective role of neohesperidin(NHP).

Methods

Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and 661W cells were divided into four groups: 2700K conventional LED group (CL-2700K), 5000K conventional LED group (CL-5000K), 2700K full-spectrum LED group (FL-2700K) and 5000K full-spectrum LED group (FL-5000K). Retinal damage was detected using Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining, while the expression of mitochondria-related autophagy proteins in retinas was determined through immunofluorescence. The CCK-8 assay, ROS detection, mitochondrial membrane potential assessment and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining were used to assess damage in 661W cell. RT-qPCR and Western blotting were employed to detect the expression of related genes and proteins.

Results

After LED exposure, retinal tissue damage was observed in the rats. 661W cells exhibited upregulated levels of ROS, JC-1 monomer aggregation, and cell apoptosis. Notably, the FL-2700K exhibited the least severe damage. Intervention experiments revealed that 25 μM NHP reduced ROS levels and JC-1 aggregation,as well asmitigated apoptosis levels. Further studies indicated that NHP maintained mitochondrial autophagy at normal levels in 661W cells across all groups and reduced the mRNA expression of Crx and Arrestin-1.

Conclusions

2700K full-spectrum LEDs can mitigate photochemical damage in vivo and in vitro. NHP is a promising drug for treating photochemical damage.