Spectral and color temperature dependence of LED exposure on retinal damage and the protective effects of neohesperidin.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of LEDs with different spectra and correlated color temperatures on the retina, as well as the protective role of neohesperidin(NHP).

Methods: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and 661W cells were divided into four groups: 2700K conventional LED group (CL-2700K), 5000K conventional LED group (CL-5000K), 2700K full-spectrum LED group (FL-2700K) and 5000K full-spectrum LED group (FL-5000K). Retinal damage was detected using Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining, while the expression of mitochondria-related autophagy proteins in retinas was determined through immunofluorescence. The CCK-8 assay, ROS detection, mitochondrial membrane potential assessment and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining were used to assess damage in 661W cell. RT-qPCR and Western blotting were employed to detect the expression of related genes and proteins.

Results: After LED exposure, retinal tissue damage was observed in the rats. 661W cells exhibited upregulated levels of ROS, JC-1 monomer aggregation, and cell apoptosis. Notably, the FL-2700K exhibited the least severe damage. Intervention experiments revealed that 25 μM NHP reduced ROS levels and JC-1 aggregation,as well asmitigated apoptosis levels. Further studies indicated that NHP maintained mitochondrial autophagy at normal levels in 661W cells across all groups and reduced the mRNA expression of Crx and Arrestin-1.

Conclusions: 2700K full-spectrum LEDs can mitigate photochemical damage in vivo and in vitro. NHP is a promising drug for treating photochemical damage.