neurodegeneration

Complementary Therapy for the Treatment of Glaucoma by Robert Ritch

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Submitted by rritch on Sat, 02/13/2010 - 11:02am

by Robert Ritch, MD

From the Departments of Ophthalmology, The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York, NY, and The New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY Supported in part by the Joseph and Marilyn Rosen Research Fund of the New York Glaucoma Research Institute Corresponding author: Robert Ritch, MD, Glaucoma Associates of New York, The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, 310 East 14th Street suite 304, New York, NY, 10003

Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy characterized by a specific pattern of optic nerve head and visual field damage. Damage to the visual system in glaucoma is due to the death of the retinal ganglion cells, the axons of which comprise the optic nerve and carry the visual impulses from the eye to the brain. Glaucoma represents a final common pathway resulting from a number of different conditions that can affect the eye, many of which are associated with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). It is important to realize that elevated IOP is not synonymous with glaucoma, but rather is the most important risk factor we know of for the development and/or progression of glaucomatous damage.

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Rutin as a Potent Antioxidant: Implications for Neurodegenerative Disorders Including Glaucoma

Submitted by dave on Tue, 09/25/2018 - 1:44am

A wide range of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), including Glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and prion diseases, share common mechanisms such as neuronal loss, apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

Intervention strategies using plant-derived bioactive compounds have been offered as a form of treatment for these debilitating conditions, as there are currently no remedies to prevent, reverse, or halt the progression of neuronal loss. Rutin, a glycoside of the flavonoid quercetin, is found in many plants and fruits, especially buckwheat, apricots, cherries, grapes, grapefruit, plums, and oranges.

Pharmacological studies have reported the beneficial effects of rutin in many disease conditions, and its therapeutic potential in several models of NDs has created considerable excitement.

In the attached scientific paper, published in 2018, the authors summarize the current knowledge on the neuroprotective mechanisms of rutin in various experimental models of neurodegenerative diseases. The mechanisms of action reviewed in this article include reduction of proinflammatory cytokines, improved antioxidant enzyme activities, activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade, downregulation of mRNA expression of PD-linked and proapoptotic genes, upregulation of the ion transport and antiapoptotic genes, and restoration of the activities of mitochondrial complex enzymes.

Taken together, these findings suggest that rutin may be a promising neuroprotective compound for the treatment of glaucoma and other neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, there are two studies on intraocular pressure and the combination of rutin plus forskolin (an herbal extract) which show this combination has the potential to reduce intraocular pressure.

Coleus Forskolii Extract 250 mg 60 caps by Paradise Herbs – FitEyes eStore https://estore.fiteyes.com/products/coleus-forskolii-extract-60-caps-by-...

Rutin 450 mg 100 vcaps by NOW Foods – FitEyes eStore https://estore.fiteyes.com/products/rutin-450-mg-100-vcaps-by-now-foods

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Low vitamin D levels linked to increased disease disability in optic nerve damage

Low vitamin D levels linked to increased disease disability in optic nerve damage

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Melatonin and Glaucoma

Melatonin is a hormone synthesized in both plants and animals from the amino acid L-tryptophan. In mammals, such as humans, it is secreted by the pineal gland -- and by the retina -- and modulates the body's sleep pattern (and much more). Melatonin production in the body is triggered by darkness and inhibited by light, helping the body manage its natural rhythm. It is available over the counter as a dietary supplement in the United States.

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Resveratrol Article by Robert Ritch, MD

Resveratrol Article by Robert Ritch, MD

Resveratrol is available in the FitEyes eStore. One highly recommended product is Resveratrol MedVita ResveraGrape by Paradise Herbs

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Taurine may prevent age related changes in the eye

Exogenous taurine administration may be helpful in preventing age related changes in the retina.(Militante & Lombardini 2004). Taurine concentrations seem to be markedly decreased in injured photoreceptors of dogs with glaucoma (Madl et al. 2005). Article by Robert Nussenblatt, MD
Taurine is available in the FitEyes eStore. One recommended product is L-Taurine Powder 300 grams by Life Extension.

Taurine from FitEyes

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Quercetin has neuroprotective effects

Quercetin and quercetin glycosides

by Makoto Aihara, MD., PhD.

Quercetin is available in the FitEyes eStore. One recommended product is Quercetin with Bromelain 240 vcaps by NOW Foods

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Turmeric offers effective neurprotection - may be important in glaucoma to prevent optic nerve damage

Submitted by dave on Sun, 09/13/2009 - 11:23am

Regular use of traditional dietary spices such as turmeric in one's cooking may be important for glaucoma patients. The use of complete spices (e.g., turmeric rather than curcumin, which is an isolated fraction of turmeric) is important as well as the use of multiple complimentary spices according to long-established wisdom such as found in Ayurveda. Still, the research backing up anti-oxidant properties of turmeric is a useful read.

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The search for neuro-protective agents for the treatment of glaucoma

Submitted by dave on Thu, 08/06/2009 - 5:00pm

There was an interesting article on BBC today about recent advances in neuroprotection for glaucoma. Here are some highlights from the article:

optic nerve fundus photoLead researcher Dr Stefano Bonini said: "Although neuroprotection in glaucoma has already been attempted with several compounds, this is the first time that an improvement in visual function is observed in patients with advanced optic nerve damage."

David Wright, chief executive of the International Glaucoma Association, warned against drawing firm conclusions from such a small study - but said the results were encouraging.

He said: "There have been many false dawns in the search for neuro-protective agents for the treatment of glaucoma and it is a feature of research on other compounds that early promise does not always translate into clinical effectiveness when larger studies are undertaken.

"However, this research would seem to indicate both effectiveness and acceptability as to the means of drug delivery.

"If these early indications are carried through to wider trials and there are no other problems, then this has the potential to open a completely new method of treating glaucoma and of preventing unnecessary visual loss in the future."

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