The Effect of Oral Administration of 9-cis Rich Powder of the Alga Dunaliella Bardawil on Visual Functions im Patients With Retinitis Pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa is a genetically determined disease consisting of progressive centripetal retinal degeneration starting in the rods outer segments. Its prevalence is 1:4000 people and is the fourth most common blinding disease in Israel in 2004 [7% of all blindness]. The investigators tried to treat a non-progressive form of the disease [Fundus Albipunctatus] by oral therapy of the food supplement made from alga Dunaliella bardawil composed of approximately 50% 9-cis β-carotene. The alga Dunaliella bardawil accumulates high concentration of β -carotene when grown under appropriate conditions. The β -carotene of the alga is composed of approximately 50% of all-trans - β carotene and 50% 9-cis β -carotene.

The 9-cis β -carotene has shown to be a precursor of 9-cis retinoic acid both in-vitro in human intestinal mucosa and in-vivo in a ferret, perfuse with 9-cis b-carotene. The night vision, as measured objectively by electroretinography (ERG) more than doubled in six patients tested. The visual field was also improved significantly.