Mokpo National University

In this study, we investigated the anti-age-related macular degeneration (AMD) effects of SF, a 1:1 mixture of 7,17-dihydroxy-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and 10,7-dihydroxy-DHA, in human retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells. Cytotoxicity in RPE cells was first confirmed, while non-toxicity was confirmed at concentrations below 2 μg/mL. Irradiation of RPE cells with bis-retinoid N-retinyl-N-retinylidene ethanolamine (A2E) and blue light resulted in a cell viability of less than 80 %, whereas SF treatment increased cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, apoptosis induced by A2E and blue light was found to be regulated by lutein and SF. Lutein and SF treatments regulated the Bcl family, with SF showing stronger efficacy in regulating Bax and Bad expression than lutein. Furthermore, SF affected MAPKs, particularly by regulating the expression of JNK and p-38. SF may have similar effects on the expression of inflammatory proteins and pro-inflammatory cytokines at 5 μg/mL and 2 μg/mL concentrations of lutein and SF. Lastly, SF appeared to regulate the expression of Nrf2, OH-1, SOD1, and 4-HNE, which are biomarkers of oxidative and carbonyl stress. In conclusion, SF may exert its protective effects by regulating various signaling pathways in response to A2E and blue light stimulation at the cellular level.

Background/Objectives : Although lower physical activity (PA) intensity and shorter duration are deemed appropriate for older adults, it remains unclear whether lighter intensity PA can be a significant characteristic of PA patterns. This study explored the underlying profile of PA patterns including lifestyle intensity assessed by accelerometry and associated sociodemographic factors among individuals aged ≥65 years. Methods : Using data from the 2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, this study included 425 participants aged ≥65 years who wore an accelerometer for ≥10 hr/day, ≥3 days/week, over 1 week. To identify PA groups, latent profile analysis was conducted using the time spent in sedentary, light, lifestyle, and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA). Multinomial logistic regression was performed to analyze sociodemographic factors influencing latent profiles. Results : Four profiles were identified, with lifestyle PA and MVPA as the key distinguishing patterns: high lifestyle PA, high MVPA, low overall PA, and average PA profiles. Compared with the average PA profile, older age and higher education lowered engagement in the high lifestyle PA profile, whereas better subjective health was positively associated. The high MVPA profile was positively associated with being men, whereas metabolic syndrome was negatively associated. Conclusions : The high lifestyle PA profile emerged as a novel discovery, considering the characteristics of older adults’ PA. Rather than applying a uniform approach, a tailored approach to PA patterns for older adults is crucial. Significance/Implications : These findings underscore the importance of focusing on lifestyle-intensity activities such as casual walking and stretching in health promotion for older adults.