Andrés Joaquín Bolaños Chang

The human microbiome has a crucial role in the homeostasis and health of the host. These microorganisms along with their genes are involved in various processes, among these are neurological signaling, the maturation of the immune system, and the inhibition of opportunistic pathogens. In this sense, it has been shown that a healthy ocular microbiota acts as a barrier against the entry of pathogens, contributing to the prevention of infections. In recent years, a relationship has been suggested between microbiota dysbiosis and the development of neurodegenerative diseases. In patients with glaucoma, it has been observed that the microbiota of the ocular surface, intraocular cavity, oral cavity, stomach, and gut differ from those observed in healthy patients, which may suggest a role in pathology development, although the evidence remains limited. The mechanisms involved in the relationship of the human microbiome and this neurodegenerative disease remain largely unknown. For this reason, the present review aims to show a broad overview of the influence of the structure and composition of the human oral and gut microbiota and relate its dysbiosis to neurodegenerative diseases, especially glaucoma.

Regenerative medicine (RM) has emerged as a promising and revolutionary solution to address a range of unmet needs in healthcare, including ophthalmology. Moreover, RM takes advantage of the body’s innate ability to repair and replace pathologically affected tissues. On the other hand, despite its immense promise, RM faces challenges such as ethical concerns, host-related immune responses, and the need for additional scientific validation, among others. The primary aim of this review is to present a high-level overview of current strategies in the domain of RM (cell therapy, exosomes, scaffolds, in vivo reprogramming, organoids, and interspecies chimerism), centering around the field of ophthalmology. A search conducted on clinicaltrials.gov unveiled a total of at least 209 interventional trials related to RM within the ophthalmological field. Among these trials, there were numerous early-phase studies, including phase I, I/II, II, II/III, and III trials. Many of these studies demonstrate potential in addressing previously challenging and degenerative eye conditions, spanning from posterior segment pathologies like Age-related Macular Degeneration and Retinitis Pigmentosa to anterior structure diseases such as Dry Eye Disease and Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency. Notably, these therapeutic approaches offer tailored solutions specific to the underlying causes of each pathology, thus allowing for the hopeful possibility of bringing forth a treatment for ocular diseases that previously seemed incurable and significantly enhancing patients’ quality of life. As advancements in research and technology continue to unfold, future objectives should focus on ensuring the safety and prolonged viability of transplanted cells, devising efficient delivery techniques, etc.

La esquizofrenia es un trastorno psiquiátrico crónico con etiología multifactorial. Es una de las 10 causas más frecuentes de discapacidad en adultos y es el trastorno psicótico primario más común. Se caracteriza por la alteración en 5 dominios mentales que hacen al individuo intercambiar información con su medio erróneamente, y se expresa como una combinación de síntomas positivos, cognitivos, negativos, agresivos y afectivos. El trastorno incluye alteraciones en la regulación de neurotransmisores (dopamina, serotonina, GABA) y estructurales (lóbulos frontales, hipocampo, etc.). Es un trastorno progresivo que causa un deterioro significativo en diversas áreas, con lo que genera mayor disfunción psicosocial, un mayor riesgo de sufrir trastorno por consumo de alcohol, depresión, violencia y suicidio. El tratamiento es multidisciplinario, el cual consta desde medidas farmacológicas y no farmacológicas, incluyendo terapias novedosas como musicoterapia, yogaterapia, agonistas del receptor de serotonina 5-HT2C, oxitocina, entre otras. El objetivo de este artículo de revisión es presentar un panorama general sobre el estado actual de los lineamientos diagnósticos y terapéuticos existentes para la esquizofrenia, así como medicamentos innovadores y terapias no farmacológicas.