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Abstract #24156 Published in IGR 11-3
Effect of epigallocatechin-gallate on inner retinal function in ocular hypertension and glaucoma: a short-term study by pattern electroretinogram
Falsini B; Marangoni D; Salgarello T; Stifano G; Montrone L; Di Landro S; Guccione L; Balestrazzi E; Colotto AGraefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology 2009; 247: 1223-1233
BACKGROUND: Epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG) is a powerful antioxidant with suggested neuroprotective action. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of short-term supplementation of EGCG on inner retinal function in ocular hypertension (OHT) and open-angle glaucoma (OAG). METHODS: Eighteen OHT and 18 OAG patients (perimetric mean deviation: >-10 dB) were randomly assigned to assume oral placebo or EGCG over a 3-month period in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over design clinical trial (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00476138). Pattern-evoked electroretinograms (PERGs) to 1.6 cycles/degree square-wave gratings, counterphased at 16 reversals/second, and standard automated perimetry (Humphrey 30-2) were assessed at the study entry (baseline), and after 3 months of placebo or EGCG. RESULTS: After EGCG, PERGs of OAG, but not OHT patients were increased in amplitude, compared either to baseline values (mean amplitude change: 0.06 log µV, p < 0.05) or to PERG amplitude values found in the same patients after placebo administration (mean change: -0.02 log µV, p not significant; difference between EGCG and placebo: 0.08 log µV, p < 0.05). In both OHT and OAG patients, standard automated perimetry did not show significant changes after either EGCG or placebo. In individual OAG patients, the magnitude of PERG amplitude increment after EGCG was inversely related (r = -0.8, p < 0.01) to corresponding baseline amplitudes. CONCLUSIONS: Although this study cannot provide evidence for long-term benefit of EGCG supplementation in OAG, and the observed effect is small, the results suggest that EGCG might favourably influence inner retinal function in eyes with early to moderately advanced glaucomatous damage.
Dr. B. Falsini, Institute of Ophthalmology, Catholic University, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy. md0571@mclink.it
Classification:
11.8 Neuroprotection (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)
6.7 Electro-ophthalmodiagnosis (Part of: 6 Clinical examination methods)
11.14 Investigational drugs; pharmacological experiments (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)
