According to researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, a form of vitamin B1 (Benfotiamene) may prove to be an effective form of treatment possibly for one of the leading causes of blindness in the world.

It was remarked that an inflammation of the tissue located just underneath the outer surface of the eyeball or uveitis can be treated with antibiotics or steroid eye drops.

From News-Medical.Net:

“Benfotiamene strongly suppresses this eye-damaging condition and the biochemical markers we associate with it,” said UTMB associate professor Kota V. Ramana, senior author of the study. “We’re optimistic that this simple supplementation with vitamin B1 has great potential as a new therapy for this widespread eye disease.”

The researchers’ data shows benfotiamene works by suppressing the activation of a crucial signaling molecule called NF-kappa B, which is normally triggered by the stress caused by infection. Shutting down NF-kappa B, they said, prevents the runaway production of inflammatory proteins that generates uveitis.

Benfotiamene’s low cost, rapid absorption by the body and lack of negative side effects make it an ideal candidate for uveitis prevention, according to Ramana.

“Already, clinical trials have shown that benfotiamene is absorbed better than thiamine [the most common form of vitamin B1] and significantly improved diabetic polyneuropathy in patients, and it’s already taken as a supplement for diabetic complications,” Ramana said.

In short, benfotiamene is seen as the next ray of hope for considerable improving polyneuropathy in patients as per UTMB associate professor Kota V. Ramana, senior author of the study.