Sigma receptor ligands protect human retinal cells against oxidative stress

This study was undertaken to investigate the role of sigma receptors during the oxidative damage on human retinal pigment epithelial cells, and to assess whether sigma receptor ligands enhance survival and protect DNA of cells challenged by oxidative stress. Pretreatment with PRE-084, a sigma(1) receptor agonist, resulted in significant increased viability in a dose-related manner. DNA damage induced by oxidative insult was significantly lower with PRE-084. The effects of PRE-084 were antagonized by pretreatment with sigma(1) receptor antagonists (NE-100 and BD1047), but interestingly were synergized by cotreatment with BD1047 that also presented an affinity for the sigma(2) receptor. The results suggest that sigma(1) receptors play an important role against retinal damage, even though sigma(2) receptor involvement cannot be excluded.