N-Acetyl-Carnosine Eye Drops
Recently Russian biochemists have been researching an analogue of the di-peptide carnosine called n-acetylcarnosine or NAC which they claim to be efficacious in the treatment of cataract.
N-acetylcarnosine was used in a clinical trial with 96 patients aged 60 and above. All the patients had senile cataract in various stages of maturity. The duration of the disease in these patients ranged between 2 and 21 years. The patients instilled 1 or 2 drops into each eye 3 – 4 times a day, for a range of 3 to 6 months. The results indicated a pronounced effect on primary senile cataract with all patients experiencing an improvement. Of the more mature senile cataract patients (long term cataract) about 80% exhibited improvements. There were no reported side effects in any patients.
Another Russian study using 49 volunteers of average age of 65 was designed to document and quantify the changes in lens clarity over a 6 to 24 month period. All patients suffered from senile cataract of a minimal to advanced opacification. The patients received either the NAC eye-drops or a placebo at a dose of 2-drops twice daily. The patients were then evaluated at 2 and 6-month periods. 6-months – 88.9% of all eyes treated with NAC had an improvement of glare sensitivity. 41.5% of all eyes treated with NAC had a significant improvement of the transmissivity of the lens. Importantly 90% of the eyes treated showed an improvement in visual acuity. The study also showed that at 24-months the NAC treated group maintained the improvement with the continued use of NAC eye-drops. No significant side effects were noted in the 2-year period.
Mechanism of action
Cataract develops when anti-oxidant defence is exhausted and when glycation leads to the cross-linking of crystalline lens proteins resulting in opacification. But, carnosine competes on the molecule for the glycating agent and protects cellular structures against aldehydes. Therefore, carnosine can slow and help to prevent proteins from becoming cross-linked (and in this case from becoming cataract).
When carnosine is delivered in high doses, 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.
Regular use of 1% NAC eye-drops, delivers high-dose carnosine through the aqueous humor to the crystalline lens to a level capable of reversing lens cross-linking and elimination of cataract. NAC (n-acetylcarnosine) eye drops do not suffer the same problem as L-carnosine eyedrops which fail to penetrate the cornea / conjunctiva and degrade easily. Once inside the eye’s aqueous humor the NAC provides bioavailable carnosine by transforming into L-carnosine (a process that occurs within 15 to 30 minutes). L-carnosine is an excellent anti-oxidant and is particularly effective against potent free-radicals. It is thought that the super anti-oxidant role of L-carnosine (within the aqueous humor) is a major factor, in the reversal of cataract.
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.
1% N-acetyl carnosine eye drops are available online here however you are required to log into the members section.
Carnosine capsules are also available to provide carnosine systemically.
Our NAC eye drops are:
* sterile and hypoallergenic.
* safe and suitable for use on pets and other animals.
* safe for use by diabetics and is compatible with all antidiabetic drugs.
* safely used by contact lens wearers (both hard and soft).
* safe for use by people with glaucoma.
Recommended Usage
The suggested usage of NAC Eye Drops is to apply 2 drops twice a day in each eye every day.
Each 10ml bottle should last 30 days at four drops per day.
Unopened bottles should be stored in the dark in the refrigerator where they will last for 2 years. Opened bottles should be discarded after 30 days to prevent bacterial contamination.
NAC eye drops Ingredients include:
* Antioxidants: N-Acetyl-Carnosine (NAC) – 1.0%.
* Glycerin (lubricant)
* Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose Sodium (lubricant).
* Buffered at pH 6.5 to 6.8.
* Sterile water for injections (isotonic solution),
* Benzoylkonium chloride (non stinging preservative).
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References:
Boldyrev AA, Dupin AM, Bunin Aya, Babizhayev MA, Severin SE “The antioxidative properties of carnosine, a natural histidine containing di-peptide.” Biochem. Inrern., 1987, 15/6, 1105-1113.
Babizhayev MA et al “N-Acetylcarnosine, a natural histidine-containing di-peptide, as a potent ophthalmic drug in treatment of human cataracts.” Peptides (USA) 2001, 22(6): 979-994.
Babizhayev MA, Yermakova VN, Deyev Al, Seguin M-C “Imidazole-containing peptiomimetic NACA as a potent drug for the medicinal treatment of age-related cataract in humans.” J. Anti-Aging Medicine 2000, 2, 43-62.
Babizhayev MA, Yermakova VN, Semiletov yu A, Deyev Al “The natural histidine-containing di-peptide N-acetylcarnosine as an antioxidant for ophthalmic use.” Biochemistry (Moscow), 2000, 65, 588-598.
Babizhayev MA, Yermakova VN, Sakina NL, Evstigneeva RP, Rozhkova EA, Zheltukhina GA “N-Acetycarnosine is a prodrug of L-carnosine in ophthalmic application as antioxidant.” Clin. Chim. Acta., 1996, 254, 1-21.Babizhayev MA, Bozzo Costa E “Composizioni farmaceutiche contenenti N-acetilcarnosina per il trattamento della cataratta.” A61K gruppo 37/00 cap 20122 MI 15.10.1993. Italian patent.
Babizhayev MA, Bozzo Costa E “Pharmaceutical compositions containing N-Acetylcarnosine for the treatment of cataract.” European Patent PCT/EP 94/03340 10.10.1994 Ref. SCB 238 PCT.
Babizhayev MA, Seguin M-C, Gueyene J, Evstigneeva RP, Ageyeva EA, Zheltukhina GA “L-carnosine and carcinine act as natural antioxidants with hydroxyl-radical-scavenging and lipid peroxidase activities.” Biochem J. 304, 509-516.
Babizhayev MA, “Antioxidant activity of L-carnosine, a natural histidine-containing di-peptide in crystalline lens.” Biochem. Biophys. Acta., 1989, 1004, 363-371.
