rss
Br J Ophthalmol 2004;88:1568-1572 doi:10.1136/bjo.2004.046607
  • Clinical science
    • Extended reports

Effect of niacin on the choroidal circulation of patients with age related macular degeneration

  1. T I Metelitsina,
  2. J E Grunwald,
  3. J C DuPont,
  4. G-S Ying
  1. Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
  1. Correspondence to: Juan E Grunwald MD Scheie Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pennsylvania, 51 North 39th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; juangrunmail.med.upenn.edu
  • Accepted 16 May 2004

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the effects of niacin on choroidal blood flow in age related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: 12 AMD patients with bilateral drusen and visual acuity of 20/40 or better in the study eye received a single oral dose of niacin (six subjects received 500 mg and six received 250 mg) or matching placebo on two separate occasions. Laser Doppler flowmetry was used to assess relative choroidal blood velocity (ChBVel), volume (ChBVol), and flow (ChBFlow) in the foveola of the study eye at baseline, 30, and 90 minutes after dosing.

Results: In comparison with placebo, a statistically significant 24% increase in ChBVol was observed 30 minutes after niacin administration (ANOVA, p = 0.01). In comparison with placebo, a significant decrease in ChBVel of 23% was observed in the 500 mg group (p = 0.04) and no significant change in ChBVel was seen in the 250 mg group at 30 minutes. No significant changes in ChBFlow were detected at 30 or 90 minutes. Also, there were no statistically significant changes in ChBVol or ChBVel at 90 minutes.

Conclusion: In comparison with placebo, a significant 24% increase in ChBVol was observed 30 minutes after niacin administration. Owing to simultaneous decrease in ChBVel, however, no significant change in ChBFlow was detected.

Footnotes

  • Grant/financial support: NIH grant EY 12769, the Vivian S Lasko Research Fund and Research to Prevent Blindness.

  • Disclosure statement: None of the authors have any conflict of interest regarding the contents of the article.

  • Commercial relationship: None.

This Article

  1. Abstract
  2. Full text
  3. PDF

Responses

  1. Submit a response
  2. No responses published

Register for free content

The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.