Oral, Ocular Antioxidant Synergies

MOSCOWCombining oral and ocular delivery of antioxidants and amino acids may prove a therapeutic treatment for cataract, according to a review out of the Moscow Helmholtz Research Institute for Eye Diseases (Am J Ther. ePub 2010 May 11). The reviewer noted the aging eye is at considerable risk from oxidative stress, raising the risk for cataract, which could be addressed through a synergistic oral and intraocular treatment with amino acid-based compounds, chaperone agents and antioxidants. Clinical data has examined the safety and efficacy of a combined oral health care treatment using nonhydrolyzed L-carnosine, histidine, D-pantethine, N-acetylcystine and vitamin D to enhance the activity of N-acetylcarnosine eye drops in treating cataract. L-carnosine and N-acetylcarnosine protected the chaperone activity of alpha-crystallin and reduced the increase in posttranslational modifications of lens proteins. The nonhydrolyzed carnosine in the oral formula delivers antioxidant and antiglycating effects, as well as heavy metal chelation ability.