Association between dietary niacin and retinal nerve fibre layer thickness in healthy eyes of different ages
- 13 June 2022
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology
- Vol. 50 (7), 736-744
- https://doi.org/10.1111/ceo.14120
Abstract
Background To investigate the relationship between dietary intake of niacin (water-soluble form of vitamin B-3) and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness in healthy eyes. Methods This cross-sectional study examined the association between daily niacin intake and RNFL thickness in three large population-based cohorts with varied age differences. RNFL thickness was extracted from optical coherence tomography data; energy-adjusted niacin intake was estimated from food frequency questionnaires. Linear mixed-effects models were utilised to examine the association between RNFL thickness and energy-adjusted niacin intake. Three separate analyses were conducted, with niacin treated as a continuous, a categorical (quartiles) or a dichotomous (above/below Australian recommended daily intake) variable. Results In total, 4937 subjects were included in the study [Raine Study Gen2, n = 1204, median age 20; Busselton Healthy Ageing Study (BHAS), n = 1791, median age 64; TwinsUK, n = 1942, median age 64). When analysed as a continuous variable, there was no association between RNFL thickness and niacin intake in any of the three cohorts (95% CI beta: Raine Study Gen 2, -0.174 to 0.074; BHAS, -0.066 to 0.078; TwinsUK -0.435 to 0.350). Similar findings were observed with quartiles of niacin intake and for niacin intakes above or below Australian recommended daily intake levels in all three cohorts. Conclusions Dietary intake of niacin from a standard diet does not appear to be associated with age-related RNFL thinning in healthy eyes. Supraphysiological doses of niacin may be required for therapeutic effect in the retina.Keywords
Funding Information
- National Health and Medical Research Council (1021105, 1022134)
- Wellcome Trust
- Department of Health, Australian Government
- Government of Western Australia
- King's College London
- National Institute for Health Research
- Chronic Disease Research Foundation
- European Commission
- Medical Research Council Canada
- Alcon Research Institute
- Ophthalmic Research Institute of Australia
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