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Review
. 2017 Feb 18;10(2):300-305.
doi: 10.18240/ijo.2017.02.19. eCollection 2017.

The omega-3 and retinopathy of prematurity relationship

Angelakis Malamas  1 , Angeliki Chranioti  2 , Christos Tsakalidis  3 , Stavros A Dimitrakos  4 , Asimina Mataftsi  4
Affiliations
Review

The omega-3 and retinopathy of prematurity relationship

Angelakis Malamas et al. Int J Ophthalmol. .

Abstract

The aim of this article is to examine the effect of omega-3 (ω-3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) intake on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) by reviewing the experimental and clinical trials conducted on animal models and infants. LCPUFAs demonstrate cytoprotective and cytotherapeutic actions contributing to a number of anti-angiogenic and neuroprotective mechanisms within the retina. Their intake appears to have a beneficial effect on ischemia, oxidative stress, inflammation and cellular signaling mechanisms, influencing retinal cell gene expression and cellular differentiation. ω-3 LCPUFAs may modulate metabolic processes that activate molecules implicated in the pathogenesis of vasoproliferative and neurodegenerative retinal diseases such as ROP.

Keywords: omega-3; retinopathy of prematurity.

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