N-Acetyl-Carnosine Eye Drops: The Cure for Cataracts
Noot...@aol.com
I noticed most people are not aware of the availability of OTC eye
drops in the US that treat and cure cataracts as well as many other
ocular conditions. I bought some to prevent any problems from ocurring
in the first place. There are different companies selling them, but I
bought mine from www.sherwyns.com.
Has anyone else heard of or is using these eye drops?
Thanks
Nootropic
Dr Judy
news:b0a154b8.02100...@posting.google.com...
Hmmm, I notice that Sherwyns's material does not make any cataract
prevention claims, states that the information they do provide has not been
evaluated (ie checked for truthfulness) by the FDA and also states that
products for sale are not intended to treat or prevent any conditions. I
think you are using a quack cure and should ask for your money back.
http://www.livingnaturally.com/retailer/store_templates/shell_id_1_template.
asp?task=store_news&SID_store_news=35&storeID=VNP3KN5J3HSR2L1D0G03N0ET9VTJ27
C2
Dr Judy
Noot...@aol.com
> prevention claims, states that the information they do provide has not been
> evaluated (ie checked for truthfulness) by the FDA and also states that
> products for sale are not intended to treat or prevent any conditions. I
> think you are using a quack cure and should ask for your money back.
>
> http://www.livingnaturally.com/retailer/store_templates/shell_id_1_template.
> asp?task=store_news&SID_store_news=35&storeID=VNP3KN5J3HSR2L1D0G03N0ET9VTJ27
> C2
>
> Dr Judy
Well "Dr. Judy"
You are aware the product is approved by Russia's FDA and is proven by
clinical studies, and the FDA does not approved of health claims
unless you give them 1 billion dollars and wait 10 years. I think you
are the quack for not researching this product before making your
claims.
When I e-mailed www.sherwyns.com for studies & articles this is what
they send me.
N-AcetylCarnosine In Ocular Disorders
Drugs R D 2002;3(2):87-103
Efficacy of N-acetylcarnosine in the treatment of cataracts.
Babizhayev MA, Deyev AI, Yermakova VN, Semiletov YA, Davydova NG,
Doroshenko VS, Zhukotskii AV, Goldman IM. Innovative Vision Products,
Inc., County of Newcastle, Delaware, USA.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of 1% N-acetylcarnosine (NAC)
solution on lens clarity over 6 and 24 months in patients with
cataracts. TRIAL DESIGN: Randomised, placebo-controlled study.
PARTICIPANTS: 49 subjects (76 affected eyes) with an average age of
65.3 +/- 7.0 years with a diagnosis of senile cataract with minimum to
advanced opacification in various lens layers. METHODS: 26 patients
(41 eyes) were allocated to topical NAC 1% eyedrops twice daily. The
control group consisted of 13 patients (21 eyes) who received placebo
eyedrops and 10 patients (14 eyes) who did not receive eyedrops. MAIN
OUTCOME MEASURES: All patients were evaluated at entry and followed up
every 2 months for a 6-month period (trial 1), or at 6-month intervals
for a 2-year period (trial 2), for best-corrected visual acuity and
glare testing. In addition, cataract was measured using
stereocinematographic slit-images and retro-illumination examination
of the lens. Digital analysis of lens images displayed light
scattering and absorbing centres in two- and three-dimensional scales.
RESULTS: The overall intra-reader reproducibility of cataract
measurements (image analysis) was 0.830, and glare testing 0.998.
After 6 months, 90% of NAC-treated eyes showed improvement in best
corrected visual acuity (7 to 100%) and 88.9% showed a 27 to 100%
improvement in glare sensitivity. Topographic studies indicated fewer
areas of posterior subcapsular lens opacity and 41.5% of treated eyes
had improvement in image analysis characteristics. The overall ratios
of image analysis characteristics at 6 months compared with baseline
measures were 1.04 and 0.86 for the control and NAC-treated group,
respectively (p < 0.001). The apparent benefits of treatment were
sustained after 24 months' treatment. No treated eyes demonstrated
worsening of vision. The overall visual outcome in the control group
showed significant worsening after 24 months in comparison with both
baseline and the 6-month follow-up examination. The overall clinical
results observed in the NAC-treated group by the 24-month period of
examination differed significantly (p < 0.001) from the control group
in the eyes with cortical, posterior subcapsular, nuclear or combined
lens opacities. Tolerability of NAC eyedrops was good in almost all
patients, with no reports of ocular or systemic adverse effects.
CONCLUSION: Topical NAC shows potential for the treatment and
prevention of cataracts.
Peptides 2001 Jun;22(6):979-94
N-Acetylcarnosine, a natural histidine-containing dipeptide, as a
potent ophthalmic drug in treatment of human cataracts.
Babizhayev MA, Deyev AI, Yermakova VN, Semiletov YA, Davydova NG,
Kurysheva NI, Zhukotskii AV, Goldman IM. Innovative Vision Products,
Inc., County of New Castle, DE 19810, USA.
A study was designed to document and quantify the changes in lens
clarity over 6 and 24 months in 2 groups of 49 volunteers (76 eyes)
with an average age of 65.3 +/- 7.0 enrolled at the time of diagnosis
of senile cataracts of minimal to advanced opacification.The patients
received N-acetylcarnosine, 1% sol (NAC) (26 patients, 41 eyes = Group
II), placebo composition (13 patients, 21 eyes) topically (two drops,
twice daily) to the conjunctival sac, or were untreated (10 patients,
14 eyes); the placebo and untreated groups were combined into the
control (reference) Group I. Patients were evaluated upon entry, at
2-month (Trial 1) and 6-month (Trial 2)-intervals for best corrected
visual acuity (b/c VA), by ophthalmoscopy and the original techniques
of glare test (for Trial 1), stereocinematographic slit-image and
retro-illumination photography with subsequent scanning of the lens.
The computerized interactive digital analysis of obtained images
displayed the light scattering/absorbing centers of the lens into 2-D
and 3-D scales.The intra-reader reproducibility of measuring
techniques for cataractous changes was good, with the overall average
of correlation coefficients for the image analytical data 0.830 and
the glare test readings 0.998. Compared with the baseline examination,
over 6 months 41.5% of the eyes treated with NAC presented a
significant improvement of the gross transmissivity degree of lenses
computed from the images, 90.0% of the eyes showed a gradual
improvement in b/c VA to 7-100% and 88.9% of the eyes ranged a 27-100%
improvement in glare sensitivity. Topographic studies demonstrated
less density and corresponding areas of opacification in posterior
subcapsular and cortical morphological regions of the lens consistent
with VA up to 0.3. The total study period over 24 months revealed that
the beneficial effect of NAC is sustainable. No cases resulted in a
worsening of VA and image analytical readings of lenses in the
NAC-treated group of patients. In most of the patients drug tolerance
was good. Group I of patients demonstrated the variability in the
densitometric readings of the lens cloudings, negative advance in
glare sensitivity over 6 months and gradual deterioration of VA and
gross transmissivity of lenses over 24 months compared with the
baseline and 6-month follow-up examinations. Statistical analysis
revealed the significant differences over 6 and 24 months in
cumulative positive changes of overall characteristics of cataracts in
the NAC-treated Group II from the control Group I. The N-acetylated
form of natural dipeptide L-carnosine appears to be suitable and
physiologically acceptable for nonsurgical treatment for senile
cataracts.
Biochemistry (Mosc) 2000 May;65(5):588-98
The natural histidine-containing dipeptide Nalpha-acetylcarnosine as
an antioxidant for ophthalmic use.
Babizhayev MA, Yermakova VN, Semiletov YA, Deyev AI. Innovative Vision
Products Inc., County of New Castle, Delaware 19810, USA.
The naturally occurring compound Nalpha-acetylcarnosine is proposed as
a prodrug of L-carnosine that is resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis by
carnosinase. Eyes of rabbits were treated with 1%
Nalpha-acetylcarnosine, L-carnosine, or placebo and extracts of the
aqueous humor from the anterior eye chamber were analyzed for
imidazole content by reverse-phase analytical high performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC) and thin-layer (TLC) and ion-exchange
chromatographic techniques. Topical administration of pure L-carnosine
to the rabbit eye did not lead to accumulation of this compound in the
aqueous humor over 30 min in concentration exceeding that in the
placebo-treated matched eye. Nalpha-Acetylcarnosine showed
dose-dependent hydrolysis in its passage from the cornea to the
aqueous humor, releasing L-carnosine after l5-30 min of ocular
administration of the prodrug in a series of therapeutic modalities:
instillation < or = subconjunctival injection < or =
ultrasound-induced phoresis. Different treatment techniques showed
excellent toleration of 1%Nalpha-acetylcarnosine by the eye. Once in
the aqueous humor, L-carnosine might act as an antioxidant and enter
the lens tissue when present at effective concentrations (5-l5 mM).
The advantage of the ophthalmic prodrug Nalpha-acetylcarnosine and its
bioactivated principle L-carnosine as universal antioxidants relates
to their ability to give efficient protection against oxidative stress
both in the lipid phase of biological membranes and in aqueous
environments. Nalpha-Acetylcarnosine is proposed for treatment of
ocular disorders that have a component of oxidative stress in their
genesis (cataracts, glaucoma, retinal degeneration, corneal disorders,
ocular inflammation, complications of diabetes mellitus, and systemic
diseases).
Clin Chim Acta 1996 Oct 15;254(1):1-21
N alpha-acetylcarnosine is a prodrug of L-carnosine in ophthalmic
application as antioxidant.
Babizhayev MA, Yermakova VN, Sakina NL, Evstigneeva RP, Rozhkova EA,
Zheltukhina GA. Moscow Helmholtz Research Institute of Eye Diseases,
Russian Federation.
The naturally occurring compound N alpha-acetylcarnosine (NAC) is
proposed as the prodrug of L-carnosine (C) resistant to enzymatic
hydrolysis by human serum carnosinase. Rabbit eyes were treated with
1% NAC, C or placebo and extracts of the aqueous humor from the
anterior eye chamber were analyzed for imidazole content by reverse
phase analytical high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC),
thin-layer (TLC) and ion-exchange chromatographic techniques. The
topical administration of pure C to the rabbit eye did not lead to
accumulation of this compound in the aqueous humor over 30 min in
concentration exceeding that in the placebo-treated matched eye. NAC
showed dose-dependent hydrolysis in its passage from the cornea to the
aqueous humor, releasing C after 15. 30 min of ocular administration
of prodrug in a series of therapeutical modalities: instillation < or
= subconjunctival injection < or = ultrasound induced phoresis.
Different treatment techniques showed excellent toleration of 1% NAC
by the eye. Once in the aqueous humor, C might act as an antioxidant
and enter the lens tissue when present at effective concentrations
(5-15 mmol/l). The advantage of the ophthalmic prodrug NAC and its
bioactivated principle C as universal antioxidants relates to their
ability to give efficient protection against oxidative stress both in
the lipid phase of biological membranes and in an aqueous environment.
NAC is proposed to treat ocular disorders which have the component of
oxidative stress in their genesis (cataracts, glaucoma, retinal
degeneration, corneal disorders, ocular inflammation, complications of
diabetes mellitus, systemic diseases).
NAC - Is It The Cure For Cataract?
By Robert Mason Ph.D.
In the East and particularly in Russia over the last several years,
they have been researching a special analogue of the di-peptide
carnosine. This particular form is known as n-acetylcarnosine or NAC
and it has been proven to be highly efficacious in the treatment of
cataract and may also present a case for the prevention of the same.
This article is about the case for NAC and the problems associated
with senile-cataract.
Cataract is the leading cause of blindness and accounts for about 42%
of all such cases worldwide, and this is in-spite of the availability
of effective surgical treatment. Today we have the appalling situation
where more than 17 million people around the world are blind because
of cataract and 28,000 new cases are reported everyday. In developing
countries, there is simply not a sufficient number of surgeons to
perform cataract operations.
Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in
people over 65-years of age, and 43% of all visits to ophthalmologists
by Medicare patients in the US are directly associated with cataract.
Meanwhile, approximately 25% of the population over 65 (and about 50%
over 80) have a serious loss of vision due to cataract. Since this is
the population that is most susceptible to lens opacification and as
this section of the population is expected to increase dramatically,
the numbers of individuals with cataract is set to explode!
For example, the World Health Organization anticipates that within the
next 25-years, that 20% of the population will be 65 or older.
Furthermore, the single largest growing section of the population are
those over 85 and their actual numbers are expected to quadruple in
about the same period. Such a rapidly burgeoning older population can
only increase the numbers of individuals suffering from cataract.
Of course, there is also the economic impact. Currently 1.35 million
cataract operations are performed annually in the United States alone
and Medicare estimates the annual cost at $3.5 billion! There's no
doubt about it, cataract is a major disease.
It is also becoming apparent that it will not be possible to eliminate
the overall problems (including blindness), caused by cataract with
the current procedures. With so many people presenting the afflictions
of maturity onset cataract, it appears not to be possible to train
in-time, the necessary numbers of surgeons required. In-fact,
as-it-stands, it looks likely that the total number of people with
serious eye-disorders because of cataract, will increase dramatically
worldwide.
Surgical complications
There is another aspect to the problem that is rarely discussed. While
cataract surgery is generally recognised as being one of the safest
operations, there is a significant complication rate. For example, in
the United States 30% to 50% of all patients having cataract
extraction, develop opacification of the posterior lens capsule within
two years and require further lazer treatment.
Since the number of cataract operations is so large, even a small
percentage of complications represents a significant number of people.
Of the patients having cataract surgery, 0.8% have retinal
detachments, 0.6% to 1.3% are hospitalized for corneal edema (or
require corneal transplantation), and 0.1% present endophthalmitis.
Thus, aside from secondary cataract, about 2% of the 1.35 million (or
approximately 27,000 individuals), just in the US each year, develop
serious complications as a result of cataract surgery.
It is therefore difficult to support the argument that cataract
research is unimportant with statistics such as those cited above. The
large and growing number of people blind with cataract and the
significant complication rate, should be sufficient reason to increase
cataract research.
The considerable discomfort experienced by patients as their vision
diminishes, and the complete loss of accommodation resulting in the
removal of the lens should also be recognised. Besides the possible
complications, an artificial lens just does not have the overall
optical qualities of a natural lens.
A medical solution is required that will maintain the transparency of
the lens. Even if the development of cataract can be delayed by
10-years, the overall benefits would be highly significant.
The development of NAC
Innovative Vision Products (IVP) is a US based corporation, operating
in Russia (utilizing Russian researchers and scientists), who have
over the last several-years developed and tested a unique new form of
carnosine. This form of carnosine is known as n-acetylcarnosine or
abbreviated to NAC.
NAC presents the first major leap forward in the treatment and
possible prevention of senile cataract.
As a bio-engineering company, IVP have developed a proprietary method
of producing extremely high purity NAC, that has proven itself to be a
suitable ophthalmic drug for the non-surgical treatment of age-related
cataracts. Yet it also displays high efficacy and physiological
tolerance.
NAC has a highly statistical and very significant clinical success
rate for patients within 3-12 months of treatment. Not surprisingly,
IVP has been quick to ensure that its NAC has worldwide patents,
including its use for cataract. It is also interesting to note that
NAC eye-drops are patented for use in open-angle glaucoma, but as yet,
the research for that disorder remains unpublished.
Human trials
Carnosine eye-drops were used in a clinical trial to treat 96 patients
aged 60 and above. All the patients had senile cataract in various
degrees of maturity. The duration of the disease in these patients
ranged between 2 and 21 years.
Firstly, the researchers stopped the patients use of all other
anti-cataract drugs. Then the patients instilled 1 or 2 drops into
each eye 3 or 4 times a day, for a period of 3 to 6 months.
The level of eyesight improvement and the change of lens transparency
was considered as an evaluation index. The results showed that there
was a pronounced effect on primary senile cataract, the effective rate
was 100% (i.e. all patients experienced an improvement). For the more
mature senile cataract (i.e. those who had had the cataract the
longest time, in some cases more than 20-years) the effective rate was
still an extremely impressive 80%.
These are remarkable results considering that the best that could
normally be expected would be a slight improvement; a halt to the
progression and under normal (i.e. non-treated) circumstances a
continual worsening of the disease.
Importantly, it was also noted that there were no side effects noted
in any of the cases.
Another Russian study was designed to document and quantify the
changes in lens clarity over a 6 to 24 month period for 49 volunteers.
Their average age was 65 and all suffered from senile cataract of a
minimal to advanced opacification.
The patients received either a 1% solution of NAC eye-drops or a
placebo, as 2-drops twice a day into each eye. The patients were then
evaluated at 2 and 6 month periods. The tests consisted of
ophthalmoscopy (glare test), stereocinematagraphic (slit-image) and
retro-illumination (photography). A computerized digital analysis then
displayed the light scattering and absorbing effects of the centers of
each lens.
At 6-months, 88.9% of all eyes treated with NAC had an improvement of
glare sensitivity (lowest individual score was a 27% improvement,
right the way up to a 100% improvement). 41.5% of all eyes treated
with NAC had a significant improvement of the transmissivity of the
lens, but perhaps most importantly 90% of the eyes treated with NAC
showed an improvement in visual acuity. Meanwhile, in the placebo
group there was little change in eye quality at 6-months & a gradual
deterioration at 12 to 24 months.
Importantly, this study also showed that at 24-months the NAC treated
group, (who already had significant improvement to the quality of
their eyesight), sustained these results with continued use of the NAC
eye-drops.
Once again, no significant side effects were noted in any cases
throughout the 2-year period.
Another interesting study also evaluated patients between the ages of
48 and 60, who had various degrees of eyesight impairment, but who did
not have the symptoms of cataract. After a course of treatment ranging
from 2 to 6 months the conclusion was, that the eye-drops alleviated
eye-tiredness and continued to improve eyesight (i.e. there was more
clear vision). The subjects reported that the treatment "brightened"
and "relaxed" their eyes. This is an important indicator that the
eye-drops have a value both for preventative purposes, as well as
medical applications.
At this time, it is now believed that carnosine eye-drop treatment has
been applied to over one thousand patients with senile cataract in
China and Russia, (those countries are home to the principal
researchers behind the work). Clear evidence is emerging that NAC
eye-drops are a safe, effective treatment and potential preventative
against cataract.
NAC method of action
Cataract is a glycosylation problem. This reaction occurs when
proteins became cross-linked (and hence impaired). The result of this
reaction leads to the discoloration of the eye-lens to yellow and
brown, and hence the impairment of vision. But, carnosine is known to
compete on the molecule for the glycating agent and protect cellular
structures against aldehydes. Therefore, carnosine can slow and help
to prevent proteins from becoming cross-linked, (and in this case from
becoming cataract).
NAC has been shown to be highly resistant to carnosinase, (the natural
enzyme that breaks down L-carnosine into histamine etc.). An
experiment on rabbits showed that NAC eye drops allow themselves to be
broken down into L-carnosine once inside the eye's aqueous humor, (a
process that occurs within 15 to 30 minutes after application of the
eye-drops).
L-carnosine is an excellent anti-oxidant and is particularly effective
against potent free-radicals, especially the Superoxide and the
Hydroxyl. It is therefore presumed, that the anti-oxidant role of
L-carnosine (within the aqueous humor) is a major factor, in slowing
and preventing the appearance of cataract.
The powerful anti-oxidant abilities of carnosine within the eye, and
the prevention of cross-linking, helps to explain why NAC is effective
at preventing and slowing cataract, perhaps even halting it. But it
doesn't explain why NAC has been shown to reverse cataract. But we may
already know the answer.
For example, it is known that when carnosine is delivered in high
doses, that it can reverse protein-aldehyde cross-linking, (this
reaction is normally very difficult to reverse). Under these
circumstances, carnosine has been shown to have a "rejuvenating"
effect on cultured cells.
Cataract develops when anti-oxidant defense is exhausted, leading to
the cross-linking of the lens crystallins, (producing a clouded lens,
and hence impaired eyesight). We can assume that the regular use of a
1% NAC eye-drop (as used in the clinical trials), delivers "a
high-dose of carnosine capable of reversing the lens cross-linking,"
and hence the reduction and eradication of cataract.
So in conclusion, NAC eye-drops appear to act as a universal
anti-oxidant, both in the lipid phase of the cellular lens membranes,
and in the aqueous environment. NAC eye-drops reduce and protect the
crystalline lens from oxidative stress-induced, cross-linking damage.
Cataract is a widespread age-related affliction and NAC eye-drops
appear to be a highly efficacious and safe treatment for cataract. As
such, I suspect that this supplement is going to become one of the
most important new discoveries, and will have a major impact on the
way that cataract is controlled.
DISCLAIMER: ALL INFORMATION IS EDUCATIONAL AND PROVIDED UNDER IAS
TERMS AND CONDITIONS. IT DOES NOT, AND SHOULD NOT, REPLACE THE ADVICE
OF YOUR PHYSICIAN
Thanks
Nootropic
Noot...@aol.com
If you wish to comment on the studies I think everyone would be very
interested in what you have to say. Also if anyone has any opinion on
this product or the studies, or Dr. Judy's reply, I would like to hear
their comments.
Thanks
Nootropic