Kyowa Hakko’s citicoline supplementation may slow glaucoma

18 Aug 2017 --- A 500mg dose of citicoline from Kyowa Hakko Europe (Kyowa) may significantly slow the progression of visual acuity loss due to glaucoma. This is according to a new study by researchers at the Sao Paolo Hospital Eye Clinic at the University of Milan, who followed 41 patients with progressing glaucoma – a disease that damages the optic nerve and can lead to vision problems and blindness – over two years.

“We are always excited to see that additional scientific data has been established to support its further benefits for eye health,” Oksana Ritchie, the company’s European Marketing Manager, tells NutritionInsight. “We will review our marketing strategy going forward based on these additional findings.”

Rate of progression drops dramatically
The Italian study targeted individuals with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), which is associated with increased eye pressure and a resulting loss of the vision field.

Participants were given an oral solution that contained 500mg of citicoline from Kyowa. The results as were described as “astounding” by the company, as the mean rate of progression dropped dramatically compared to the two years prior to the study.

The study also found that there was a statistically significant decrease in intraocular pressure. It is not conclusive that citicoline alone is responsible for the results; however, supplementation with citicoline may be beneficial in overall brain and eye health.

“Kyowa, and also our customers in recent years, have continuously published new science to substantiate the efficacy of this ingredient in various applications,” Ritchie comments on the potential for future, larger-scale studies. “Preparations for different studies to be published over the next coming years are already on our roadmap.”

Future possibilities
Citicoline is described by Kyowa as a “vital nutrient” that helps the brain generate electrical impulses, care for healthy brain cells and protect neurons from free radical damage. It is said to support memory and cognitive function while aiding in the synthesis and maintenance of cell membranes.

When it comes to future possible applications, Ritchie says: “Our [research is] proactively working on extending the use of citicoline for a far wider variety of age groups and target applications, sports nutrition being a good example.”

“Together with specialists in eye health and our customers [who believe] in citicoline benefits, we continue assessing the possibilities of future research and studies about citicoline efficacy for neuroprotection,” she adds.

The study, “Citicoline Oral Solution in Glaucoma: Is There a Role in Slowing Disease Progression?” was published online in Ophthalmologica. A link to the abstract can be found here.