| September
20, 2007
Drugs That Lower Cholesterol Also Beneficial
For Eye Disease
Statin drugs that help lower cholesterol may also be beneficial
in preventing glaucoma progression according to the Wiley-Blackwell
journal - Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology.
However, there was no significant effect on the eye disease if
the subject had taken statin drugs together with aspirin or just
aspirin alone.
According to Dr. Shan Lin - author of "Effect of statin
drugs and aspirin on progression in open-angle glaucoma suspects
using confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy"- aspirin, like
statins, possess anti-inflammatory properties and produces beneficial
cardiovascular effects. It is therefore reasonable to consider
its possible association with glaucoma - a disease related to
the flow of blood to the optic nerve.
Results show that the patients using only statins experienced
a notable protective effect against glaucoma progression.
"Possible explanations for this finding include the fact
that subjects who take the combination of drugs were more likely
to suffer from more severe systemic problems which may predispose
them to glaucoma progression," says Dr. Lin.
He added, "Due to the limitations of the study, further
research should be done to generate a more powerful evaluation
of statin as a possible adjunctive therapy for the treatment and
prevention of glaucoma".
About Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
The research achievements and high standards of clinical practice
in ophthalmology in Australia and New Zealand are recognized worldwide.
Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology is the official Journal
of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.
The Journal draws from a solid base of pro-active, innovative
and respected researchers and clinicians to publish peer-reviewed
original research articles and case reports that are international
in scope and application. Short articles are published under the
headings 'Clinicopathological Report', 'Surgical Technique', 'Photographic
Essay' and Letters to the Editor. Manuscripts covering 'Ophthalmic
Hypothesis', 'Developing World Ophthalmology' and 'Visual Science'
are encouraged.
About Wiley-Blackwell
Wiley-Blackwell was formed in February 2007 as a result of the
merger between Blackwell Publishing Ltd. and Wiley's Scientific,
Technical, and Medical business. Together, the companies have
created a global publishing business with deep strength in every
major academic and professional field. Wiley-Blackwell publishes
approximately 1,250 scholarly peer-reviewed journals and an extensive
collection of books with global appeal. For more information on
Wiley-Blackwell, please visit http://www.blackwellpublishing.com
or http://interscience.wiley.com.
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Comments:
Statins are once again coming up as panacea of all ailments,
from preventing cancer, diabetic neuropathy, Hepatitis C
viral infection and now preventing glaucoma. According to
statistics, 2,000,000 people are visually impaired by glaucoma
in the US, that give a huge market for statin manufacturers
like Pfizer who is going to lose billions of dollars due
to patent expiration in 2010. They have to invent new uses
for statins before it becomes generic.
In addition to his groundbreaking research in the field
of nutrition in various chronic diseases and cancer, Dr.
Rath has also been working to unveil the pharmaceutical
business with disease. Please read about Dr. Rath's research
and fight against pharma cartel on www.drrathresearch.org,
www4.dr-rath-foundation.org
and the latest publication “Road Map to Health” |
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