Abstract
Purpose:
<br /> Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol present in a wide variety of plants, showed its efficacy against eye diseases related to oxidative stress-induced cell damage. Recent studies pointed out its anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory efficacy too.<br /> <br /> The purpose of the present randomized, open label, parallel arms, treated vs. untreated-control group study was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of trans-resveratrol containing tablets (RESVEGA®)(Laboratoires Théa -FR) in adult patients suffering from autoimmune uveitic macular edema.<br />
Methods:
<br /> 59 eyes of 32 adult patients (22 females and 10 males), mean age 54y (range 37-65), affected by inflammatory not-infectious macular edema, were enrolled in the study. Sixteen subjects (29 eyes) were randomly assigned to receive RESVEGA® tablets TID continuously during a 6 month period follow-up; the remaining 16 enrolled subjects (30 eyes) were not added with this supplement; systemic therapy was unchanged during the follow-up period for all the enrolled patients. All the subjects completed the visits at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Primary endpoints were: ETDRS visual acuity testing and Heidelberg Spectralis II OCT examination for central foveal thickness (CFT) and central macular volume (CMV) reduction. A specific questionnaire recorded subjective symptoms and tolerability.<br />
Results:
<br /> After 6 months CFT and CMV showed a significant (p < 0.05) reduction and VA a significant (p < 0.001) improvement from baseline when compared to the control group in which no significant improvement was seen. Less than 15% eyes in the RESVEGA® group and more than 60% in the control group got worsen. No adverse reaction or intolerance was reported.<br />
Conclusions:
<br /> Trans-resveratrol containing tablets treatment in comparison with control group and in addition to standard local and systemic therapy, is associated with a significant improvement in visual acuity and in CFT and CMV reduction at the 6-month follow-up visit, in subjects affected by autoimmune uveitic ME, although not all the eyes showed a complete resolution of ME probably due to vitreo-macular traction or foveal ischemia.<br />