title: Circulating levels of reactive oxygen species in patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy and the influence of antioxidant supplementation: 6-month follow-up.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to evaluate circulating levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and changes in central macular thickness (CMT) in patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) after antioxidant supplementation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 68 patients (68 eyes) with NPDR were enrolled. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: Treated with antioxidant supplement (Group A) and untreated control group (Group B). Each tablet, for oral administration, containing pycnogenol 50 mg, Vitamin E 30 mg and coenzyme Q10 20 mg. CMT and free oxygen radical test (FORT) were analyzed at baseline (T0), 3 (T1) and 6 (T2) months in both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In Group A, FORT levels and CMT were significantly reduced over time (P < 0.001 for both). In Group B, FORT levels were increased (P < 0.001) and CMT did not vary significantly (P = 0.81) over 3 time points.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study showing the reduction of ROS levels in patients with NPDR thanks to antioxidant therapy. Moreover, our findings have suggested also an influence on retinal thickness.
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Domanico
authors: Serena
authors: S
authors: Fragiotta
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Cutini
authors: Department of Sense Organs UOC B, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy.
authors: Carmela
authors: C
authors: Carnevale
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Zompatori
authors: Enzo Maria
authors: EM
authors: Vingolo
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000097:blood*; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014451:Ubiquinone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D005419:Flavonoids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014815:Vitamins; D014451:Ubiquinone; D014810:Vitamin E; C024070:pycnogenols; C024989:coenzyme Q10