Oftalʹmologiâ (Oct 2019)
The Effect of Anthocyanins on Microcirculation and Retrobulbar Blood Flow in Ocular Pathology
Abstract
The literature review presents information on positive effects of anthocyanins on functional indices of cardiovascular system, vascular reactivity of main arteries, microcirculation and retrobulbar blood flow. The positive effect of anthocyanins on the reactivity of main arteries was detected using non-invasive ultrasound method for assessment of flow-mediated dilation andendothelial function. Numerous randomised-controlled trials showed the effectiveness of the long-term supplementation with anthocyanins (during 6–24 months) in correction of microcirculation impairment and functional indices of visual system. The increase of plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) level and the pathological vascular reactivity have been noted in ocular ischemic diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, occlusion of retinal veins and arteries. We registered the normalization of the plasma ET-1 level, significant improvement of blood flow in neuroretinal rim area and peripapillary area of retina without changes in mean indices of intraocular pressure and ocular perfusion pressure in patients with open-angle glaucoma after anthocyanins administration. There was no progression of visual fields defects. The resulting effect of anthocyanins supplementation consists of metabolic regulation of blood flow and flow-dependent vasodilatation due to the influence on vascular endothelium.Anthocyanins also increase the expression of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase, an enzyme that generates powerful endogenous vasodilator NO. Anthocyanins regulate a number of complex immune and inflammatory signaling pathways involved in maintaining vascular functional activity. Positive dynamic of blood flow velocities and normalization of resistance indices in ocular vessels were detected in patients with dry age-related macular degeneration after 2 months anthocyanins supplementation. That indicates the improvement of ocular blood flow circulation and favorable prognosis for retinal dystrophies. The instrumental examination of blood flow in different vascular systems including microcirculation and main arteries are very useful for assessment of the effectiveness of anthocyanin supplementation.
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