Grape pomace polyphenols improve ophthalmic outcomes in patients with age-related macular degeneration (Amd) via reducing tmao serum levels and oxidative stress: Preliminary results from a pilot clinical trial

Background: Thromboembolic and/or atherosclerotic processes have been included among the main etiopathogenetic factors in development of different eye diseases, including retinal artery occlusion, which can evolve in macular degeneration. Similarly, oxidative stress (OxS) is strongly implicated in pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The close link between vascular alteration and OxS is intuitive and its involvement in eye diseases is well-established. In this sense, individuating novel strategies aimed to contrast these two factors is relevant in management of AMD. Aim: Here we demonstrated the efficacy of a chronic treatment with a novel nutraceutical formulation based on Maltodextrinated Grape Pomace Extract (MaGPE) on ophthalmic outcomes, in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients with AMD. Results: After 6-month treatment, central foveal thickness (CFT) significantly reduced and visual acuity significantly increased. Moreover, serum levels of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), reactive oxygen metabolites (DROMs), and oxidized-LDL (oxLDL), significantly decreased. Conclusions: Correlation analyses demonstrated that after 6 months, TMAO, DROMs and oxLDL serum level variations, correlated positively with CFT and negatively with visual acuity, suggesting antioxidant and vascular protective activities of MaGPE as potential mechanisms of action for its effect in improving ophthalmic outcomes in AMD patients.