The impact of bilberry extract combined with docosahexaenoic acid on the expression of Chrnb4 gene in the sclera of myopic guinea pigs
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of bilberry extract combined with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in myopia management by examining their effects on Chrnb4 gene expression in the sclera of lens-induced myopic guinea pigs and elucidating the underlying regulatory mechani...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1590362/full |
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| author | Mei-hong Zhu Qian Wen Tai-nan Lin Yun Gao Xiao-ting Liu Jing-hua Lin Miao Lin Qiao-mei Shi |
| author_facet | Mei-hong Zhu Qian Wen Tai-nan Lin Yun Gao Xiao-ting Liu Jing-hua Lin Miao Lin Qiao-mei Shi |
| author_sort | Mei-hong Zhu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of bilberry extract combined with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in myopia management by examining their effects on Chrnb4 gene expression in the sclera of lens-induced myopic guinea pigs and elucidating the underlying regulatory mechanisms, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for the development of natural active component-based myopia prevention and treatment strategies.MethodsOne hundred twenty guinea pigs were systematically allocated into five experimental groups: normal control (NC), lens-induced myopia (LIM), LIM+DHA, LIM+bilberry extract (LIM+BE), and LIM+DHA+BE. Myopia was experimentally induced through the application of –6.0D lenses. The intervention groups received daily administrations of DHA (100 mg/kg), bilberry extract (16.5 mg/kg), or their combination for a duration of 12 weeks. Ocular parameters including refractive status and axial length were quantified using a handheld refractometer and A-scan ultrasound, respectively. Choroidal thickness (ChT) and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) were evaluated through swept-source OCT imaging. Molecular analyses encompassing Chrnb4 expression, dopamine concentrations, and TGF-β/MMP-2/TIMP-1 pathway components were conducted using immunofluorescence, ELISA, and Western blot techniques.ResultsFollowing 4 weeks of myopia induction, the LIM group demonstrated significant myopic changes, including reduced refraction (-3.75 ± 1.35 D), decreased ChT (89.00 ± 10.37 μm), increased axial length (11.33 ± 1.67 mm), and diminished CVI (22.64 ± 4.91%) compared to NC group (all P < 0.001). After 12 weeks of therapeutic intervention, the combined treatment group showed marked improvements in ocular parameters, with refraction measuring –2.46 ± 0.92 D and axial length reduced to 9.94 ± 1.10 mm. Notably, ChT and CVI increased by 8.7 and 15.6%, respectively, compared to the LIM group (P < 0.05). Molecular analysis revealed significant upregulation of Chrnb4 protein expression, elevation of dopamine levels to 41.13 ± 1.58 nmol/g, suppression of TGF-β and MMP-2 expression, and enhancement of TIMP-1 levels (all P < 0.05).ConclusionThe combination of bilberry extract and DHA demonstrates significant efficacy in controlling myopia progression through multiple mechanisms, including upregulation of Chrnb4 gene expression, modulation of the TGF-β/MMP-2/TIMP-1 signaling pathway, and enhancement of dopamine levels. These findings collectively contribute to the inhibition of scleral remodeling and axial elongation. This study provides valuable insights for the development of novel, multi-targeted natural therapeutic approaches for myopia prevention and treatment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d0dff786e9a746a181a4dab6fbf4ea9b |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2296-858X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-d0dff786e9a746a181a4dab6fbf4ea9b2025-08-20T03:19:52ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Medicine2296-858X2025-06-011210.3389/fmed.2025.15903621590362The impact of bilberry extract combined with docosahexaenoic acid on the expression of Chrnb4 gene in the sclera of myopic guinea pigsMei-hong Zhu0Qian Wen1Tai-nan Lin2Yun Gao3Xiao-ting Liu4Jing-hua Lin5Miao Lin6Qiao-mei Shi7Department of Ophthalmology, Huaqiao University Hospital, Fujian, ChinaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Fujian Provincial Governmental Hospital, Fujian, ChinaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Fujian Provincial Governmental Hospital, Fujian, ChinaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Fujian Provincial Governmental Hospital, Fujian, ChinaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Fujian Provincial Governmental Hospital, Fujian, ChinaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Fujian Provincial Governmental Hospital, Fujian, ChinaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Fujian Provincial Governmental Hospital, Fujian, ChinaDepartment of Ophthalmology, Fujian Provincial Governmental Hospital, Fujian, ChinaObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of bilberry extract combined with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in myopia management by examining their effects on Chrnb4 gene expression in the sclera of lens-induced myopic guinea pigs and elucidating the underlying regulatory mechanisms, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for the development of natural active component-based myopia prevention and treatment strategies.MethodsOne hundred twenty guinea pigs were systematically allocated into five experimental groups: normal control (NC), lens-induced myopia (LIM), LIM+DHA, LIM+bilberry extract (LIM+BE), and LIM+DHA+BE. Myopia was experimentally induced through the application of –6.0D lenses. The intervention groups received daily administrations of DHA (100 mg/kg), bilberry extract (16.5 mg/kg), or their combination for a duration of 12 weeks. Ocular parameters including refractive status and axial length were quantified using a handheld refractometer and A-scan ultrasound, respectively. Choroidal thickness (ChT) and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) were evaluated through swept-source OCT imaging. Molecular analyses encompassing Chrnb4 expression, dopamine concentrations, and TGF-β/MMP-2/TIMP-1 pathway components were conducted using immunofluorescence, ELISA, and Western blot techniques.ResultsFollowing 4 weeks of myopia induction, the LIM group demonstrated significant myopic changes, including reduced refraction (-3.75 ± 1.35 D), decreased ChT (89.00 ± 10.37 μm), increased axial length (11.33 ± 1.67 mm), and diminished CVI (22.64 ± 4.91%) compared to NC group (all P < 0.001). After 12 weeks of therapeutic intervention, the combined treatment group showed marked improvements in ocular parameters, with refraction measuring –2.46 ± 0.92 D and axial length reduced to 9.94 ± 1.10 mm. Notably, ChT and CVI increased by 8.7 and 15.6%, respectively, compared to the LIM group (P < 0.05). Molecular analysis revealed significant upregulation of Chrnb4 protein expression, elevation of dopamine levels to 41.13 ± 1.58 nmol/g, suppression of TGF-β and MMP-2 expression, and enhancement of TIMP-1 levels (all P < 0.05).ConclusionThe combination of bilberry extract and DHA demonstrates significant efficacy in controlling myopia progression through multiple mechanisms, including upregulation of Chrnb4 gene expression, modulation of the TGF-β/MMP-2/TIMP-1 signaling pathway, and enhancement of dopamine levels. These findings collectively contribute to the inhibition of scleral remodeling and axial elongation. This study provides valuable insights for the development of novel, multi-targeted natural therapeutic approaches for myopia prevention and treatment.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1590362/fullmyopiascleral remodelingChrnb4 genebilberry extractdocosahexaenoic acid |
| spellingShingle | Mei-hong Zhu Qian Wen Tai-nan Lin Yun Gao Xiao-ting Liu Jing-hua Lin Miao Lin Qiao-mei Shi The impact of bilberry extract combined with docosahexaenoic acid on the expression of Chrnb4 gene in the sclera of myopic guinea pigs Frontiers in Medicine myopia scleral remodeling Chrnb4 gene bilberry extract docosahexaenoic acid |
| title | The impact of bilberry extract combined with docosahexaenoic acid on the expression of Chrnb4 gene in the sclera of myopic guinea pigs |
| title_full | The impact of bilberry extract combined with docosahexaenoic acid on the expression of Chrnb4 gene in the sclera of myopic guinea pigs |
| title_fullStr | The impact of bilberry extract combined with docosahexaenoic acid on the expression of Chrnb4 gene in the sclera of myopic guinea pigs |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of bilberry extract combined with docosahexaenoic acid on the expression of Chrnb4 gene in the sclera of myopic guinea pigs |
| title_short | The impact of bilberry extract combined with docosahexaenoic acid on the expression of Chrnb4 gene in the sclera of myopic guinea pigs |
| title_sort | impact of bilberry extract combined with docosahexaenoic acid on the expression of chrnb4 gene in the sclera of myopic guinea pigs |
| topic | myopia scleral remodeling Chrnb4 gene bilberry extract docosahexaenoic acid |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2025.1590362/full |
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