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ABSTRACT
The objective of this article is to evaluate the potential effects of beta-glucan and vitamin D supplementation in patients with diabetic retinopathy. We evaluated the levels of several parameters of inflammatory reactions (C-reactive protein [CRP], serum amyloid A [SAA], and interleukin- [IL-] 6), leptin, and vitamin D. Using a 3-month interval, we divided the patients into three groups: (1) supplemented with beta-glucan and vitamin D, (2) supplemented with vitamin D and placebo, and (3) supplemented with vitamin D alone. By this division, we aim not only to observe whether beta-glucan can increase the effects of vitamin D, but also to eliminate the potential effects of placebo. The doses of vitamin D corresponded to phototype, weight, age, and sex of the individual. Fifty-two diabetic retinopathy patients were selected for our study. We found significant vitamin D deficits in all cases, even after three months of supplementation with vitamin D. Significant changes in levels of CRP were observed in the beta-glucan–supplemented group; levels of SAA and IL-6 were not changed. Leptin levels were significantly lowered in the beta-glucan–supplemented group and increased in the other groups. More detailed studies and/or longer supplementation is necessary.
KEYWORDS:
Declaration of interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.
About the authors
Josef Richter, MD, holds PhD in Immunology from Charles University Prague, Czech Republic, main interests are studies of health benefits of nutritional support (mineral, vitamins) and immunomodulators such as transfer factor and mainly beta glucan in clinical studies.
Martina Zavorkova received MD from Charles University Prague, Czech Republic, ophtalmologist with the interest focused on health effect of beta glucans in ophthalmology.
Vaclav Vetvicka holds a PhD in Immunology from the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences. His main interests are focused on health benefits of natural immunomodulators.
Ivana Liehneová received MD and PhD from Charles University Prague, Czech Republic, ophthalmologist with the interest focused on the treatment of ocular diseases and therapy with beta glucans.
Vlastimil Kral received PhD from Charles University, Czech R with main interest on immunological laboratory methods.
Lucie Rajnohova Dobiasova received Master of Science from University Jana Purkine, Ústí nad Labem Czech Republic. Member of our group with the main interest in the epidemiology and statistical methods.