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Drug shows neuroprotective potential in animal model of optic neuritis
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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Activation of the SIRT1 enzyme by a proprietary formulation of resveratrol showed a neuroprotective effect in an animal model of optic neuritis, according to a press release from Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, which is developing the drug.
Kenneth S. Shindler, MD, and colleagues found that a single intravitreal dose of Sirtris' SRT501 "reduced the loss of retinal ganglion cells and preserved axonal function" in the mouse model. Additionally, in the presence of sirtinol, an SIRT1 inhibitor, the researchers noted no neuroprotective effect, the release said.
"This work is significant because it shows that a SIRT1 activator is neuroprotective and thus has the potential to be therapeutic for a range of neurodegenerative diseases of aging," said Peter Elliott, PhD, senior vice president and head of development at Sirtris Pharmaceuticals, in the release.
The study is published in the August issue of Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science.