<p>Scientists claim to have developed a new antioxidant that could prevent and even cure cataracts, macular degeneration and other eye disorders.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Researchers, led by Dr Nuran Ercal at Missouri University of Science and Technology are studying eye drops prepared with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA) as a treatment for these eye conditions.<br /><br />Ercal says NACA is an improvement over another experimental treatment, the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC), because it passes more easily across cell membranes, allowing the medication to be used in lower doses.<br /><br />“NACA’s characteristics as a drug were improved over NAC by neutralising the carboxylic group of NAC, which makes the NACA pass cellular membranes easily,” says Ercal.<br /><br />“And because NACA can be administered at a lower dose, the drug has a greater therapeutic index and lowers the risk of side effects traditionally associated with NAC.<br />“NACA is also an excellent source of glutathione, a cell’s main antioxidant power, which is diminished during degenerative eye disorders,” she said in a statement.<br /><br />Vision loss from age-related eye disorders affects more than 30 million people in the US and is expected to double in the coming decades, Ercal said.<br /><br />“NACA eye drops could drastically reduce these costs and represent an alternative to costly surgery, while greatly improving the quality of life for those afflicted,” said Ercal.<br />Ercal and her team have been testing NACA on HIV-related problems, lead poisoning and other toxicities for 10 years. About four years ago they began testing it on eye disorders.<br />“The NACA solution prevented cataracts from forming,” says Ercal.<br /><br />Ercal says further testing will help establish appropriate dosage and frequency, as well as possible side effects and other factors. <br /><br /></p>
<p>Scientists claim to have developed a new antioxidant that could prevent and even cure cataracts, macular degeneration and other eye disorders.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Researchers, led by Dr Nuran Ercal at Missouri University of Science and Technology are studying eye drops prepared with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA) as a treatment for these eye conditions.<br /><br />Ercal says NACA is an improvement over another experimental treatment, the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC), because it passes more easily across cell membranes, allowing the medication to be used in lower doses.<br /><br />“NACA’s characteristics as a drug were improved over NAC by neutralising the carboxylic group of NAC, which makes the NACA pass cellular membranes easily,” says Ercal.<br /><br />“And because NACA can be administered at a lower dose, the drug has a greater therapeutic index and lowers the risk of side effects traditionally associated with NAC.<br />“NACA is also an excellent source of glutathione, a cell’s main antioxidant power, which is diminished during degenerative eye disorders,” she said in a statement.<br /><br />Vision loss from age-related eye disorders affects more than 30 million people in the US and is expected to double in the coming decades, Ercal said.<br /><br />“NACA eye drops could drastically reduce these costs and represent an alternative to costly surgery, while greatly improving the quality of life for those afflicted,” said Ercal.<br />Ercal and her team have been testing NACA on HIV-related problems, lead poisoning and other toxicities for 10 years. About four years ago they began testing it on eye disorders.<br />“The NACA solution prevented cataracts from forming,” says Ercal.<br /><br />Ercal says further testing will help establish appropriate dosage and frequency, as well as possible side effects and other factors. <br /><br /></p>