The Effects of Antioxidant Cocktail on Ophthalmological Changes Induced by a 60-Day Head-Down Bed Rest in a Randomized Trial
2024

Effects of Antioxidant Cocktail on Eye Changes from Bed Rest

Sample size: 20 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Kermorgant Marc, Varenne Fanny, Pavy-Le Traon Anne, Geeraerts Thomas, Barioulet Lisa, Fournié Pierre, Billette de Villemeur Rebecca, Bareille Marie-Pierre, Beck Arnaud, Golemis Adrianos, Antunes Inês, Gauquelin-Koch Guillemette, Soler Vincent, Quintyn Jean-Claude

Primary Institution: Institute for Space Medicine and Physiology (MEDES), Toulouse, France

Hypothesis

A thoraco-cephalic fluid shift induced by head-down bed rest will lead to ocular changes.

Conclusion

The study found that 60 days of head-down bed rest caused changes in eye health, but the antioxidant cocktail did not prevent these changes.

Supporting Evidence

  • Two participants experienced peripapillary edema but recovered after 1 and 2 months.
  • The antioxidant cocktail had minor impacts on the ophthalmological changes induced by head-down bed rest.
  • Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was preserved in all quadrants at recovery.
  • Central retinal thickness tended to decrease after head-down bed rest.

Takeaway

When people lie down for a long time, their eyes can change, but taking vitamins didn't help fix those changes.

Methodology

Twenty healthy male subjects underwent a 60-day head-down bed rest, divided into two groups: one with an antioxidant cocktail and one without.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to lack of a placebo control for the antioxidant cocktail.

Limitations

The study had a small sample size and only included male participants, limiting the generalizability of the findings.

Participant Demographics

Twenty healthy male subjects aged 34 ± 8 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p = 0.02

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.3390/life14121598

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