Vitamin C (2014) Supports Trabecular Meshwork

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Antioxidants such as vitamin C have been found useful in both protecting nerve cells from damage and improving the health of optic nerve cells in case of lab animal glaucoma.

Researchers wanted to investigate the antioxidant properties and how it functions in protecting the trabecular meshwork. The trabecular meshwork is a fine mesh of cells that regulate the flow of fluid in and out of the eye and glaucoma is thought to be sometimes caused by blockage in the meshwork.

Researchers treated cultures of lab animal trabecular meshwork cells with increasing concentrations of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and the antioxidant effect was assessed by observing cell health.

The scientists found that ascorbic acid acts in two ways to support meshwork cells. First, it was correlated with lower levels of damaging free iron and protein, and second, in several different ways, it reduced the presence of unwanted damaging proteins.

The researchers concluded that lowered vitamin C levels in blood and in the vitreous humour inside the eye can contribute to meshwork outflow blockage due to aging and contribute to development of glaucoma.

Researchers: P.Xu, Y. Lin, K. Porter, P.B. Liton

Published: Ascorbic acid modulation of iron homeostasis and lysosomal function in trabecular meshwork cells, Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, March-April, 2014.