Citation

Jaadane I, Boulenguez P, Chahory S, Carré S, Savoldelli M, Jonet L, Behar-Cohen F, Martinsons C, Torriglia A. Free Radic. Biol. Med. 2015; 84: 373-384.

Affiliation

INSERM U1138. Centre de Recherches des Cordeliers. Université Paris Descartes, Université Pierre et Marie Curie. Paris. France. Electronic address: alicia.torriglia@inserm.fr.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2015.03.034

PMID

25863264

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Spectra of "white LED" are characterized by an intense emission in the blue region of the visible spectrum, absent in day light spectra. This blue component and the high intensity of emission are the main sources of concern about the health risks of LEDs with respect to their toxicity to the eye and the retina.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to elucidate the role of blue light from LEDs in retinal damage.

METHODS: Commercially available white LED and four different blue LEDs (507, 473, 467 and 449nm) were used for exposure experiments on Wistar rats. Immunohistochemical stain, transmission electron microscopy and western blot were used to exam the retinas. We evaluated LED-induced retinal cell damage by studying oxidative stress, stress response pathways and the identification of cell death pathways.

RESULTS: LED light caused a state of suffering of the retina with oxidative damage and retinal injury. We observed a loss of photoreceptors and the activation of caspase independent apoptosis, necroptosis and necrosis. A wavelength dependence of the effects was observed.

CONCLUSION: Phototoxicity of LEDs on the retina is characterized by a strong damage of photoreceptors and by the induction of necrosis.

Language: en