Oxidative Stress, Diabetic Retinopathy, and Superoxide Dismutase 3

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a multifaceted disease, combining the deleterious effects of hyperglycemia and the propensity for accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Studies indicate that auto-oxidation of glucose, reduced antioxidant activity, and metabolic aberrations contribute to the pathogenesis of DR. These abnormalities stem from a fundamental imbalance between ROSs and antioxidant scavengers. To correct this imbalance and downstream effects, we propose that superoxide dismutase 3 (SOD3) is a viable therapeutic target for DR.