Cytoprotective Effects of Citicoline and Homotaurine against Glutamate and High Glucose Neurotoxicity in Primary Cultured Retinal Cells

Citicoline and homotaurine are renowned compounds that exhibit potent neuroprotective activities through distinct molecular mechanisms. The present study was undertaken to demonstrate whether cotreatment with citicoline and homotaurine affects cell survival in primary retinal cultures under experimental conditions simulating retinal neurodegeneration. Primary cultures were obtained from the retina of fetal rats and exposed to citicoline plus homotaurine (100 μM). Subsequently, neurotoxicity was induced using excitotoxic levels of glutamate and high glucose concentrations. The effects on retinal cultures were assessed by cell viability and immunodetection of apoptotic oligonucleosomes. The results showed that a combination of citicoline and homotaurine synergistically decreases proapoptotic effects associated with glutamate- and high glucose-treated retinal cultures. This study provides an insight into the potential application of citicoline and homotaurine as a valuable tool to exert neuroprotective effects against retinal damage.

Primary Retinal Cultures as a Tool for Modeling Diabetic Retinopathy: An Overview

Experimental models of diabetic retinopathy (DR) have had a crucial role in the comprehension of the pathophysiology of the disease and the identification of new therapeutic strategies. Most of these studies have been conductedin vivo, in animal models. However, a significant contribution has also been provided by studies on retinal cultures, especially regarding the effects of the potentially toxic components of the diabeticmilieuon retinal cell homeostasis, the characterization of the mechanisms on the basis of retinal damage, and the identification of potentially protective molecules. In this review, we highlight the contribution given by primary retinal cultures to the study of DR, focusing on early neuroglial impairment. We also speculate on possible themes into which studies based on retinal cell cultures could provide deeper insight.