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A non-invasive, multi-target approach to treat diabetic retinopathy

Angeline Julius1, Waheeta Hopper1

  • 1Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai 603 203, India.

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & Pharmacotherapie
|December 16, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) involves pathways like aldose reductase (ALR2). Developing new ALR2 inhibitors could prevent DR progression, offering a novel therapeutic strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pharmacology
  • Ophthalmology

Background:

  • Hyperglycemia triggers pathways like protein kinase C activation, VEGF expression, AGEs formation, and polyol pathway activation, contributing to diabetic retinopathy (DR).
  • Aldose reductase (ALR2) within the polyol pathway plays a significant role in diabetic complications, with its pathophysiology extensively researched.
  • While numerous aldose reductase inhibitors (ARIs) have been explored, few have reached clinical use, and none are approved for DR treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically analyze current treatments for diabetic retinopathy (DR).
  • To identify the limitations of existing DR therapies.
  • To highlight the importance of developing novel aldose reductase inhibitors (ALR2 inhibitors) for preventing DR progression.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing treatments for diabetic retinopathy.
  • Analysis of the role of aldose reductase (ALR2) in diabetic complications.
  • Evaluation of the potential of aldose reductase inhibitors (ARIs) in managing DR.

Main Results:

  • Several pathways contribute to DR, with ALR2 involvement being a key focus.
  • Epalrestat, an ALR2 inhibitor, is used for diabetic neuropathy but not approved for DR.
  • Existing treatments for DR have limitations, underscoring the need for new therapeutic approaches.

Conclusions:

  • Novel aldose reductase inhibitors (ALR2 inhibitors) hold promise for preventing diabetic retinopathy (DR) progression.
  • Targeting ALR2 could offer a direct or indirect mechanism to control factors implicated in DR.
  • Further research into ALR2 inhibitors is crucial for developing effective DR treatments.
Keywords:
AGE inhibitionAldose reductase inhibitorsDiabetic retinopathyMultitarget inhibitorsPPAR-γ agonists

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