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Abstract #6850 Published in IGR 4-1
Pharmacodynamics of citicoline relevant to the treatment of glaucoma
Grieb P; Rejdak RJournal of Neuroscience Research 2002; 67: 143-148
Citicoline (exogenous CDP-choline) is a nontoxic and well-tolerated drug used in pharmacotherapy for brain insufficiency and some other neurological disorders, such as stroke, brain trauma, and Parkinson's disease. A few reports indicate that citicoline treatment may also be beneficial in glaucoma. Currently, glaucoma is considered a neurodegenerative disease in which retinal ganglion cells (RGC) slowly die, likely in the apoptotic mechanism. Endogenous CDP-choline is a natural precursor of cellular synthesis of phospholipids, mainly phosphatydylcholine (PtdCho). Enhancement of PtdCho synthesis may counteract neuronal apoptosis and provide neuroprotection. Citicoline, when administered, undergoes a quick transformation to cytidine and choline, which are believed to enter brain cells separately and provide neuroprotection by enhancing PtdCho synthesis; a similar effect may be expected to occur in glaucomatous RGC. Furthermore, citicoline stimulates some brain neurotransmitter systems, including the dopaminergic system, and dopamine is known to be a major neurotransmitter in retina and postretinal visual pathways. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, treatment of glaucoma resulted in functional improvement in the visual system noted with electrophysiological methods. Development of citicoline as a treatment for glaucoma is indicated.
Dr. P. Grieb, Laboratory of Experimental Pharmacology, Medical Research Center, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland. pgrieb@cmdik.pan.pl
Classification:
11.8 Neuroprotection (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)