The Resveratrol Prodrug JC19 Delays Retinal Degeneration in rd10 Mice

It has been reported that resveratrol (RES) has a therapeutic effect in different neurodegenerative and ocular diseases. However, RES is rapidly eliminated from the organism, and high doses need to be administered resulting in potential toxic side effects. We hypothesized that a RES prodrug such as 3,4′-diglucosyl resveratrol (JC19) would reduce RES metabolism to produce a neuroprotective effect. Here, we have examined the protective effect of JC19 in an experimental mouse model of autosomal recessive RP. Rd10 mice at postnatal day 13 (P13) were subretinally injected with vehicle and two different doses of JC19. Electroretinogram (ERG) and histological evaluation were performed 15 days after injections. The amplitude of a- and b-waves was quantified in ERG recordings, and the number of photoreceptor nuclei in the outer nuclear layer was counted. In addition, the mouse retinas were immunostained with anti-rhodopsin antibodies. JC19 treatment delayed the loss of rod photoreceptor in rd10 mice, maintaining the expression of rhodopsin and preserving their electrical responses to light stimuli. The exact mechanism by which RES delays retinal degeneration in rd10 mice remains to be elucidated, but Sirtuin 1 activation could be one of the key molecular pathways involved in its neuroprotective effect.