Assessing the Performance of Daily Intake of a Homotaurine, Carnosine, Forskolin, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, and Magnesium Based Food Supplement for the Maintenance of Visual Function in Patients with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Abstract

Background. Glaucoma is a multifactorial optic neuropathy, which causes a continuous loss of retinal ganglion cells. Given the neurodegenerative nature of glaucoma, the necessity for neuroprotective intervention still arises, to be added alongside hypotonic therapy. Objective. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of daily intake of a homotaurine, carnosine, forskolin, vitamins B1, B2, and B6, folic acid, and magnesium based supplement (GANGLIOLIFE®) on the progression rates of the visual field in patients with progressive POAG despite good tonometric compensation and to assess the most suitable dosage. Methods. This is a monocentric nonrandomized experimental clinical study. Patients with mean deviation (MD) ranging from −2 dB to −15 dB with MD progression ≥1 dB in the previous year and IOP values of ≤18 mm Hg were included. All the patients underwent supplement therapy for a period of 6 months. For the first 2 months, they took 2 tablets a day, and for the following 4 months, 1 tablet a day. The patients were assessed before the start of treatment, time 0 (T0), after 2 months (T1), and after 6 months (T2) of therapy. At each check-up, patients were given a full eye test including perimetry, RNFL, and GCC using FD-OCT, PERG, contrast sensitivity, and QoL evaluation using the Glaucoma Symptom Scale questionnaire and National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire 25. Results. 31 patients with a mean age of 70.80 ± 8.77 were included. At T1 and T2, the mean values of MD were lessened (MD = −5.37 ± −2.91, P<0.01, and MD = −5.48 ± 3.15, P<0.05, respectively) compared to T0 (MD = -5.98 ± 2.83). Patients also demonstrated a significant reduction in IOP (P<0.01), improved light sensitivity (P<0.01) and contrast sensitivity (P<0.05), and a better quality of life (P<0.05). Conclusions. Treatment with a supplement which includes homotaurine, carnosine, forskolin, vitamins B1, B2, and B6, folic acid, and magnesium has been shown to be able to slow down the rate of progression of functional damage and improve visual function after 2 and 6 months of daily intake. Quality of life showed significant improvement.

Effects of Citicoline, Homotaurine, and Vitamin E on Contrast Sensitivity and Visual-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Preliminary Study

“…In POAG, it may act by preventing the aggregation and formation of amyloid plaques, also found at the level of RGCs, responsible for cell death [19]. Due to its affinity to GABA A receptors, it modulates cortical inhibitory activity by reducing the response of neurons to excitatory stimuli of glutamate [20,21], the pathogenic mechanism through which the RGCs and other nerve cells die as a consequence of an excess of extracellular glutamate [22].…”

Treatment of Glaucoma with Natural Products and Their Mechanism of Action: An Update

“…Additionally, supplementation with tablets containing C. forskohlii extract, homotaurine, carnosine, folic acid, vitamins of the B group and magnesium in POAG patients compensated by IOP-lowering drugs during a period of 12 months showed a significant further decrease in IOP and an improvement in the pattern electroretinogram amplitude at 6, 9 and 12 months, and foveal sensitivity at 12 months [266]. In another study, daily intake of a similar supplement for 4 months showed a decrease in IOP, improved light sensitivity and contrast sensitivity and a better quality of life in POAG patients [267]. Additionally, supplementation with French maritime pine bark/bilberry fruit extracts rich in anthocyanins to POAG patients for 4 weeks showed a reduced IOP [268].…”

The Prevention and Management of COVID-19: Seeking a Practical and Timely Solution

“…Carnosine (N-b-alanyl-L-histidine), an effective antiviral, antioxidant and antiglycating agent, is a naturally occurring dipeptide [51][52][53][54][55]. It is present in skeletal system, cardiac muscles and brain of vertebrates [56,57].…”