Researchers at the University of Virginia have identified a group of HIV drugs that could help in preventing macular degeneration, an eye condition that leads to vision loss.
Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs), the class of drugs that are commonly used to treat HIV, have been found to help in preventing this age-related eye condition.
This discovery suggests that the drugs may be helpful against dry macular degeneration, even though the virus does not cause that eye condition.
The study, published in the scientific journal PNAS, found that people taking these HIV drugs had a significantly reduced risk of developing dry macular degeneration, a common eye disorder among people over 50.
Study researcher Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati said, “We are extremely excited that the reduced risk was reproduced in all the databases, each with millions of patients. This finding provides real hope in developing the first treatment for this blinding disease.”
This discovery rewrites our understanding of DNA, revealing for the first time that it can be manufactured in the cytoplasm of our cells, outside the cell nucleus that is home to our genetic material, the researchers said, according to Medical Xpress.
The team found that the accumulation of a certain type of DNA in the cytoplasm, called Alu, contributes to macular degeneration. This Alu accumulation appears to damage important layers of retinal cells that nourish visual cells.
The researchers found that people who took NRTIs were almost 40% less likely to develop dry macular degeneration.
They are planning to conduct further studies to understand if these HIV drugs or safer derivatives called Kamuvudines could help prevent vision loss from macular degeneration. Kamuvudines help block a key inflammatory pathway.
Dr. Ambati said, “A clinical trial of these inflammasome-inhibiting drugs is now warranted. It’s also fascinating how uncovering the intricate biology of genetics and combining it with big data archeology can propel insights into new medicines.”
Previously, D. Ambati determined that NRTIs could help prevent diabetes as well.
The article was originally published Monday on Medical Xpress.
