Scientific Committee of NBF-Lanes
Vitamins, Minerals, the carotenoids and essential fatty acids are closely related to eye health. This result comes from a direct action on the eye, or by an indirect action through an overall improvement of the health conditions of the organism.
GENERAL EVALUATION
The lens and the retina undergo oxidative damage and antioxidant vitamins A, C and E are called into question as protective.
Zinc plays a role in retinal metabolism and may result in macular degeneration.
Selenium has an antioxidant role, while for the Copper the role is not yet well defined.
The carotenoids are concentrated in the macula retinal and have an antioxidant function.
Essential Fatty Acids, such as gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), are useful in Sjogren’s syndrome and other disorders characterized by “dry eye”.
The Omega-3 fats play an important role in the development of the retina and contribute in the prevention of cardiovascular disorders.
PROSTAGLANDINS PRO AND ANTI INFLAMMATORY
The tissues in the eye respond to stimuli (both physiological and pathological) through stimulation of phospholipase and resulting in the release of membrane phospholipids and other biologically active metabolites.
These events, occurring in rapid succession, cause in time profound effects on the physiology of the eye.
The activation of phospholipase A2 is the first step in the synthesis of two important classes of lipid messengers: eicosanoids and platelet-activating factor (PAF).
It is precisely the PAF antagonists which confer protection against the inflammation (acute and chronic) of the anterior ocular segment and block PAF-glutamate released from the retina.
The eicosanoids, in particular prostaglandins, have been for a long time involved in the pathophysiology of ocular inflammation and pharmacological tests exist about their role in the regulation of intraocular pressure.
LINOLEIC ACID AND GAMMA-LINOLENIC ACID IN THE SYSTEMIC THERAPY OF “DRY EYE”
The aim of this work was the assessment of efficacy and anti-inflammatory activity exerted by the systemic administration of linoleic acid (LA) and gamma-linolenic acid in reducing chronic inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis and ocular surface in patients with sicca kerato-conjunctivitis.
To this end, at the Department of Neurosciences-Ophthalmology and Genetics, University of Genoa, were selected 26 patients suffering from the disease in question.
The diagnosis was based on:
- The assignment of a clinical score
- The results of the Schirmer Test
- The positivity to the vital staining the green lissamine
- The break-up time of fluorescein (FBUT)
The subjects were divided into two groups of 13:
- 1. to that study were administered capsules containing LA (28.5 mg) and GLA (15.0 mg) twice daily for 45 days, plus artificial tears support
- 2.while the consumption of tuna (113g portions x 5-6 meals per week) was inversely related to the appearance of DES.
The analysis of these food statistics, at wide spectrum, shows that the presence of higher doses of Omega-3 fats leads to a reduction in the incidence of DES.
Bibliography
Brown NA, Bron AJ, Harding JJ, Dewar HM “Nutrition Supplement and the eye”
Clinical Cataract Research Unit, Nuffield Laboratory of Oftalmology, Oxford, UK
Barabino S, Rolando M, Camicione P, Ravera G, Zanardi S, Giuffrida S, Calabria G “Systemic Linoleic and Gamma-Linolenic Acid Therapy in Dry Eye Sindromewith an Inflammatory Component”
Department of Neurosciences, University of Genoa, Sanremo – Genoa – Italy
Miljanovic B, Trivedi KA, Dana MR, Gilard JP, Buring JE, Schaumberg DA “Relation Between Dietary n-3 and n-6 Fatty Acids and Clinically Diagnosed Dry Eye Syndrome in Women”
Division of Preventive Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02215, USA
Bazan NG, Allan G “Signal Transduction and Gene Expression in the Eye: a Contemporary View of the Pro-Inflammatory, Anti-Inflammatory and Modulatory Roles of Prostaglandins and Other Bioactive Lipids”
Department of Ophtalmology, Laouisiana State University Medical Center, School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA
