Effect of Raw Quail Egg on Intraocular Pressure and Blood Pressure of Hypertensive Subjects

Quail egg is a rich source of vitamins, mineral salts, enzymes and amino acids. In addition to these nutritional values, quail egg has been reported to have medicinal properties such as hypotensive property. This study investigated the effect of fresh raw quail egg on intraocular pressure (IOP) and blood pressure (BP) of hypertensive and normal subjects in a Nigerian population. One hundred and fifty newly diagnosed and untreated mild to moderate hypertensive subjects selected from the screening exercise carried out at the University of Benin Optometry Clinic, Edo State, Nigeria were recruited for this study. They comprised three groups of fifty subjects each, which were systemic hypertensives, ocular hypertensives and normotensive control subjects. IOP and BP were measured and recorded before and after oral administration of 0.6 ml/kg body weight of raw quail egg to each subject in the three study groups at 30 minutes interval for 90 minutes. Results showed that the maximum mean difference in IOP after oral administration of 0.6 ml/kg body weight of fresh raw quail egg, was 1.85 ±0.12 mmHg and 1.90 ±0.05 mmHg respectively which occurred at 90 minutes in the normotensive right and left eyes, these were statistically significant (p<0.003). The maximum mean difference in BP was 15.67 ±0.08 mmHg which occurred at 60 minutes in the normotensive subjects and it was statistically significant (p=0.000). The hypotensive effect of 0.6 ml/kg body weight of fresh raw quail egg was similar in the three study groups, the peak effect on IOP occurred at 90 minutes and this was preceded by the peak effect on BP which occurred at 60 minutes. The hypotensive effect on IOP may have resulted from the fall in BP. In conclusion, 0.6 ml/kg body weight of raw quail egg has significant hypotensive effect on intraocular pressure and blood pressure compared to water, when administered orally on empty stomach in ocular hypertensives, systemic hypertensives and in the normotensive control groups. Therefore it may be consumed as a form of supplement in the control of high blood pressure and raised intraocular pressure.