Pineal-regulating tetrapeptide epitalon improves eye retina condition in retinitis pigmentosa
Vladimir Khavinson, Michael Razumovsky, Svetlana Trofimova, Roman Grigorian, Anna Razumovskaya · 2002 · Neuroendocrinol Lett. 23(4):365–368
Reported findings and study design
The authors reported a positive clinical effect in more than 90% of Epitalon-treated retinitis-pigmentosa cases. Visual acuity rose by an average of 0.15–0.25; total visual-field borders expanded by 90–120° in 64.8% of treated cases. Conventional-care controls had visual-function improvement in 31.5% of cases.
Dose, route and schedule
Parabulbar Epitalon 5 micrograms into each eye once daily for 10 days; the paper states 100 micrograms per bilateral course. Controls received conventional vasodilator, angioprotector and antisclerotic treatment. Historical ophthalmology study methods, not self-administration guidance.
Protocol source ↗ · Original methods, page 366
| Measure | Result | Comparison, timing and statistics |
|---|---|---|
| Reported overall clinical effect | More than 90% of treated cases | Authors’ overall assessment; not the same endpoint as control visual-function response |
| Average visual-acuity gain | 0.15–0.25 | A 0.4 gain reported in 18 eyes (7.6% as printed) |
| Visual-field expansion | 90–120° in 64.8% | Total visual-field borders; control expansion 40–50° reported in 86.9% |
| Control visual-function improvement | 31.5% of cases | Maximum acuity gain of 0.15 in 4.3%; acuity decreased in 4 eyes |
| Adverse effects | None reported by the authors | No systematic long-term safety denominator or follow-up established |
Human retinal electrophysiology · original Table II
| Measure | Control before | Control after | Epitalon before | Epitalon after |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-neuron amplitude (µV) | 19.9 ± 1.1 | 18.8 ± 1.1 | 22.4 ± 1.7 | 27.3 ± 1.6* |
| First-neuron latency (ms) | 25.2 ± 1.3 | 24.8 ± 1.9 | 23.9 ± 1.2 | 22.7 ± 1.2 |
| Second-neuron amplitude (µV) | 160.4 ± 10.1 | 165.3 ± 10.2 | 150.8 ± 9.9 | 210.6 ± 11.5* |
| Second-neuron latency (ms) | 75.5 ± 4.8 | 89.1 ± 5.1* | 66.8 ± 4.3 | 58.8 ± 3.9 |
Values and dispersion transcribed from Table II. * p<0.05 versus pretreatment. The separate rat experiment is not included in this human table.
Allocation and masking are not described sufficiently to establish a randomized trial. Percentages refer to different outcomes and sometimes eyes; they are not one common response measure. The methods state 162 patients examined and 46 controls; do not describe 162 as the treated-arm size. The paper reports 18 eyes as 7.6%, a denominator not fully reconciled in the text. Retinal-disease findings do not demonstrate healthy-person vision enhancement or longevity.
Source for the extracted data ↗ · Checked 2026-10-31
Molekul summary of the linked publication. Educational information, not medical advice. Seek qualified healthcare help for medical conditions.
Methods, limitations & source review
Study limitations
- Allocation and masking are not described sufficiently to establish a randomized trial. Percentages refer to different outcomes and sometimes eyes; they are not one common response measure.
- The methods state 162 patients examined and 46 controls; do not describe 162 as the treated-arm size. The paper reports 18 eyes as 7.6%, a denominator not fully reconciled in the text.
- Retinal-disease findings do not demonstrate healthy-person vision enhancement or longevity.
Publication counts are not counts of independent trials. Reviews, translations and reports sharing participants may overlap. Findings apply to the studied preparation, population and endpoints.
Review depth: Original English scan, printed pages 366–367: human methods, results and Table II visually checked.
Source access and review scope
Original English scan, printed pages 366–367: human methods, results and Table II visually checked.
Recorded source-check date: 2026-10-31. This date does not imply a completed systematic review.
Citation and original source
Original source: Vladimir Khavinson, Michael Razumovsky, Svetlana Trofimova, Roman Grigorian, Anna Razumovskaya. Pineal-regulating tetrapeptide epitalon improves eye retina condition in retinitis pigmentosa Neuroendocrinol Lett. 23(4):365–368 2002.
Molekul research summary: https://molekul.io/research/epitalon-human-retina-2002. Cite the original publication for its findings and this page when referring to Molekul’s summary or evidence appraisal.
Bibliography entry