Vitamin B3 as a possible treatment for glaucoma

MedicalXPress/Karolinska Institutet, St. Erik Eye Hospital, others ^ | May 17, 2021 | James R. Tribble et al.

[ConservativeMind]

Glaucoma involves a high risk of losing sight. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and St. Erik Eye Hospital, among others, have now studied the effects of nicotinamide, the amide of vitamin B₃, on animal and cell models for glaucoma. The study, published in Redox Biology, may be a future neuroprotective therapy in glaucoma in humans. A clinical trial will start in the autumn.

In glaucoma, the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, is progressively damaged, often in association with elevated pressure inside the eye.

The only treatment strategies currently available target the pressure in the eye using eye drops or surgery.

Previously, scientists have identified that the molecule NAD declines in the retina in an age-dependent manner and renders retinal ganglion cells susceptible to neurodegeneration.

Preventing NAD depletion via administration of nicotinamide (the amide of vitamin B3, a NAD precursor) robustly prevents glaucoma in chronic animal models.

They also demonstrated that elevating NAD levels through nicotinamide administration can improve visual function in existing glaucoma patients.

"We demonstrated that systemic nicotinamide administration has limited molecular side-effects, but provides a robust reversal of the disease metabolic profile of glaucoma prone animals."

[ConservativeMind]

There are various over-the-counter supplements that are readily available, if one would like to try nicotinamide themselves.

A common one is nicotinamide riboside. It also appears to positively address liver and other issues.

[scottteng]

Worth a try I take Chinese skullcap in addition to my 3 prescription eye drops and have held the glaucoma at bay for 40 years so far.

[Bob434]

Good news. Need breakthroughs for macula degeneration. Too, another bad eye issue

[lizma2]

There are vitamins for macular degeneration.

[Bob434]

thanks ill check that out

[ConservativeMind]

A few AMD insights:

Low vitamin B6 and folic acid levels are associated with retinal vein occlusion independently of homocysteine levels (consider P-5-P version of B6 and Metafolin or other non-folic acid version of folic acid—peoe can have problems converting normal B6 or folic acid into active forms in the body)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17945240/

Also these:
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-07-boosting-potency-broccoli-related-compound-yields.html
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-09-levodopa-vision-patients-macular-degeneration.html
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-06-macular-degeneration.html
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-10-mediterranean-diet.html
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-02-discovery-important-implications-common-eye.html

[Bob434]

Thanks CM- lots of good info there to go over-

[ConservativeMind]

Another item to read:

Some high blood pressure drugs may be associated with increased risk of vision-threatening disease
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-05-high-blood-pressure-drugs-vision-threatening.html

[Bob434]

thank-s i don’t have HBP thankfully- nor macular (Sp?) degeneration, but i do know folks that do and will give them the links when i see them again that you got for me- such a horrible thing to have to deal with- hate seeing them go through it-

[beethovenfan]

What is NAD?

[ConservativeMind]

NAD = nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide

It is an important substance our bodies make in small quantities. Some supplements can bypass process-limiting steps we have to more directly encourage NAD to be made. Nicotinamide riboside is one supplement that gets this done and studies have shown taking it can even reverse liver and pancreatic cancer, along with minimizing other liver conditions.

Doses range from 150 to 450 mg, but the study that reversed those cancers was closest to the 450 mg a day.

There is no reason to take the larger amounts amounts unless you were specifically addressing an issue it can impact.

[beethovenfan]

Thanks for the info.