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The Nrf2/Keap1/ARE Pathway and Oxidative Stress as a Therapeutic Target in Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Joshua A David1, William J Rifkin1, Piul S Rabbani1

  • 1Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, New York University School of Medicine, 430 East 29th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA.

Journal of Diabetes Research
|September 16, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Activating the Nrf2/Keap1/ARE antioxidant pathway shows promise in combating oxidative damage in type II diabetes mellitus (TIIDM). This pathway may offer new therapeutic targets for preventing and treating TIIDM complications.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Type II Diabetes Mellitus (TIIDM) is a growing global health concern with significant morbidity and mortality.
  • Oxidative damage from free radicals is a key factor in TIIDM pathogenesis and progression.
  • The Nrf2/Keap1/ARE pathway, a master regulator of antioxidant responses, is increasingly recognized for its role in diabetic complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of oxidative damage in TIIDM.
  • To elucidate the involvement of the Nrf2/Keap1/ARE pathway in diabetic dysfunction.
  • To explore therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway for TIIDM.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of animal studies and clinical trials.
  • Analysis of evidence linking oxidative stress and the Nrf2/Keap1/ARE pathway to TIIDM.
  • Synthesis of current and future therapeutic approaches.

Main Results:

  • Accumulating evidence implicates the Nrf2/Keap1/ARE pathway in diabetic damage to various tissues, including the pancreas, heart, and skin.
  • Activation of this pathway has demonstrated potential in delaying or reversing impairments associated with TIIDM in preclinical and clinical settings.

Conclusions:

  • The Nrf2/Keap1/ARE pathway is a critical player in the oxidative stress associated with TIIDM.
  • Targeting this master antioxidant pathway presents a promising therapeutic avenue for the prevention, prognosis, and treatment of TIIDM and its complications.

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