Pineal-regulating tetrapeptide epitalon improves eye retina condition in retinitis pigmentosa.

Neuro endocrinology letters2002PMID: 12195242

Clinical TrialAnimal StudyEpitalon

Plain Language Summary

Epitalon improved retinal function in both Campbell rats with hereditary retinal degeneration and human patients with pigmented retinal degeneration. In clinical use, 90% of patients showed positive results, with the peptide preserving retinal structure and enhancing its electrical activity, likely through shared transcriptional mechanisms between the pineal gland and retina.

Abstract

We have studied the effect of tetrapeptide Epitalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) on the course of congenital pigmented degeneration of the retina. The application of Epitalon in Campbell rats is found to intensify the bioelectric and functional activity of the retina due to the preservation of its morphological structure. Epitalon therapy in patients with degenerative retinal lesions results in a positive clinical effect in 90% of the cases. The analysis of Epitalon effects suggests that the tetrapeptide participates in the mechanisms of transcription common for the epiphysis and retina.

Authors

Khavinson, Vladimir; Razumovsky, Michael; Trofimova, Svetlana; Grigorian, Roman; Razumovskaya, Anna