title: Oral Administration of Forskolin, Homotaurine, Carnosine, and Folic Acid in Patients with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: Changes in Intraocular Pressure, Pattern Electroretinogram Amplitude, and Foveal Sensitivity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of a food supplement containing forskolin, homotaurine, carnosine, folic acid, vitamins B1, B2, B6, and magnesium in patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) already in treatment and compensated by intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering drugs, during a period of 12 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two patients (44 eyes) with POAG, with their IOP compensated by topical drugs, were enrolled and randomly assigned to the food supplement or control treatment group. The additional food supplement treatment consisted of 2 tablets per day (1 in the morning, 1 in the evening) given for 1 year of a balanced association of homotaurine, Coleus forskohlii root extract, L-carnosine, folic acid, vitamins B1, B2, B6, and magnesium. Pattern Electroretinogram (PERG) amplitude, foveal sensitivity obtained with the visual field analyzer frequency doubling technology, and IOP were detected at enrollment (T0), 3 months (T1), 6 months (T2), 9 months (T3), and 12 months (T4).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed in treated patients a significant further decrease of IOP and an improvement of PERG amplitude at 6, 9, and 12 months, and foveal sensitivity at 12 months. All values remained substantially stable in control patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the present pilot study indicate that the components of the food supplement reach the eye in a detectable manner, as evidenced by the effects on the IOP. Moreover, they suggest a short-term neuroactive effect, as indicated by the improvement of PERG amplitude and foveal sensitivity in treated, but not in control patients.
authors.affiliation: 1 Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Azienda Ospedaliera Sant'Andrea, Rome University La Sapienza , Rome, Italy .
authors.forename: Maria Giulia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Mutolo
authors.affiliation: 2 Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Policlinic Umberto I, Rome University La Sapienza , Rome, Italy .
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Albanese
authors.affiliation: 3 Sooft Italia SpA , Rome, Italy .
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rusciano
authors.affiliation: 2 Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Policlinic Umberto I, Rome University La Sapienza , Rome, Italy .
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pescosolido
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002336:Carnosine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005576:Colforsin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005584:Fovea Centralis / Q000187:drug effects*; D005902:Glaucoma, Open-Angle / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013654:Taurine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D013654:Taurine; D005576:Colforsin; C001355:tramiprosate; D002336:Carnosine; D005492:Folic Acid