Palmitoylethanolamide, a Natural Retinoprotectant: Its Putative Relevance for the Treatment of Glaucoma and Diabetic Retinopathy

Retinopathy is a threat to the eyesight, and glaucoma and diabetes are the main causes for the damage of retinal cells. Recent insights pointed out a common pathogenetic pathway for both disorders, based on chronic inflammation. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous cell protective lipid. Sin...

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Main Authors: Jan M. Keppel Hesselink, Ciro Costagliola, Josiane Fakhry, David J. Kopsky
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2015-01-01
Series:Journal of Ophthalmology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/430596
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author Jan M. Keppel Hesselink
Ciro Costagliola
Josiane Fakhry
David J. Kopsky
author_facet Jan M. Keppel Hesselink
Ciro Costagliola
Josiane Fakhry
David J. Kopsky
author_sort Jan M. Keppel Hesselink
collection DOAJ
description Retinopathy is a threat to the eyesight, and glaucoma and diabetes are the main causes for the damage of retinal cells. Recent insights pointed out a common pathogenetic pathway for both disorders, based on chronic inflammation. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous cell protective lipid. Since its discovery in 1957 as a biologically active component in foods and in many living organisms, around 500 scientific papers have been published on PEA’s anti-inflammatory and neuron-protective properties. PEA has been evaluated for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and uveitis, pathological states based on chronic inflammation, respiratory disorders, and various pain syndromes in a number of clinical trials since the 70s of 20th century. PEA is available as a food supplement (PeaPure) and as diet food for medical purposes in Italy (Normast, PeaVera, and Visimast). These products are notified in Italy for the nutritional support in glaucoma and neuroinflammation. PEA has been tested in at least 9 double blind placebo controlled studies, among which two studies were in glaucoma, and found to be safe and effective up to 1.8 g/day, with excellent tolerability. PEA therefore holds a promise in the treatment of a number of retinopathies. We discuss PEA as a putative anti-inflammatory and retinoprotectant compound in the treatment of retinopathies, especially related to glaucoma and diabetes.
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spelling doaj-art-caee3ba225e740cf81ee721870c5c6632025-02-03T01:23:25ZengWileyJournal of Ophthalmology2090-004X2090-00582015-01-01201510.1155/2015/430596430596Palmitoylethanolamide, a Natural Retinoprotectant: Its Putative Relevance for the Treatment of Glaucoma and Diabetic RetinopathyJan M. Keppel Hesselink0Ciro Costagliola1Josiane Fakhry2David J. Kopsky3University of Witten/Herdecke, Alfred-Herrhausen-Straße 50, 58448 Witten, GermanyUniversità degli Studi del Molise, Via Francesco De Sanctis, No. 1, 86100 Campobasso, ItalyFaculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 110236, Beirut, LebanonInstitute of Neuropathic Pain, Vespuccistraat 64-III, 1056 SN Amsterdam, NetherlandsRetinopathy is a threat to the eyesight, and glaucoma and diabetes are the main causes for the damage of retinal cells. Recent insights pointed out a common pathogenetic pathway for both disorders, based on chronic inflammation. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous cell protective lipid. Since its discovery in 1957 as a biologically active component in foods and in many living organisms, around 500 scientific papers have been published on PEA’s anti-inflammatory and neuron-protective properties. PEA has been evaluated for glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and uveitis, pathological states based on chronic inflammation, respiratory disorders, and various pain syndromes in a number of clinical trials since the 70s of 20th century. PEA is available as a food supplement (PeaPure) and as diet food for medical purposes in Italy (Normast, PeaVera, and Visimast). These products are notified in Italy for the nutritional support in glaucoma and neuroinflammation. PEA has been tested in at least 9 double blind placebo controlled studies, among which two studies were in glaucoma, and found to be safe and effective up to 1.8 g/day, with excellent tolerability. PEA therefore holds a promise in the treatment of a number of retinopathies. We discuss PEA as a putative anti-inflammatory and retinoprotectant compound in the treatment of retinopathies, especially related to glaucoma and diabetes.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/430596
spellingShingle Jan M. Keppel Hesselink
Ciro Costagliola
Josiane Fakhry
David J. Kopsky
Palmitoylethanolamide, a Natural Retinoprotectant: Its Putative Relevance for the Treatment of Glaucoma and Diabetic Retinopathy
Journal of Ophthalmology
title Palmitoylethanolamide, a Natural Retinoprotectant: Its Putative Relevance for the Treatment of Glaucoma and Diabetic Retinopathy
title_full Palmitoylethanolamide, a Natural Retinoprotectant: Its Putative Relevance for the Treatment of Glaucoma and Diabetic Retinopathy
title_fullStr Palmitoylethanolamide, a Natural Retinoprotectant: Its Putative Relevance for the Treatment of Glaucoma and Diabetic Retinopathy
title_full_unstemmed Palmitoylethanolamide, a Natural Retinoprotectant: Its Putative Relevance for the Treatment of Glaucoma and Diabetic Retinopathy
title_short Palmitoylethanolamide, a Natural Retinoprotectant: Its Putative Relevance for the Treatment of Glaucoma and Diabetic Retinopathy
title_sort palmitoylethanolamide a natural retinoprotectant its putative relevance for the treatment of glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/430596
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