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Oxymatrine regulates SPHKS/S1P signaling pathway in diabetic retinopathy: an observational clinical cohort study
1Department of Endocrinology, The 940th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, 730050, China.
Background:
The SPHKS/S1P pathway has a complex yet close association with the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Oxymatrine (OMT), is believed to potentially regulate this pathway; however, systematic clinical evidence remains insufficient.
Methods:
A total of 84 DR cases was finally included in the observation cohort, among which 41 cases were assigned to the OMT group and 43 cases to the non-OMT group. Additionally, 20 non-DR cases were included as blank controls. The levels of 4 target proteins, including S1P, VEGF, SPHK1, and SPHK2, were detected in the peripheral blood of cases in each group. The temporal changes in these protein levels were compared between the OMT group and the non-OMT group. Furthermore, the progression of DR between the two groups was statistically analyzed before and after treatment.
Results:
Compared with non-DR cases, the levels of 4 target proteins of DR cases were significantly increased. No statistically significant differences in the levels of these proteins were observed between the OMT group and the non-OMT group before treatment; the temporal change trends in the expression levels of these proteins in the OMT group were significantly lower than those in the non-OMT group after treatment. However, no statistically significant differences were found between the OMT group and the non-OMT group in terms of DR progression.
Conclusion:
OMT could inhibit the activity of the SPHKS/S1P pathway and downregulate the expression of key proteins; however, the clinical efficacy of OMT in relieving the progression of DR remained unclear in this study.
Insights
Oxymatrine (OMT) may inhibit the sphingosine kinase (SPHK)/sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) pathway in diabetic retinopathy (DR). While OMT reduced key protein levels, its clinical impact on DR progression requires further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- The sphingosine kinase (SPHK)/sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) pathway is implicated in diabetic retinopathy (DR) progression.
- Oxymatrine (OMT) is a potential modulator of this pathway, but clinical evidence is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of OMT on the SPHK/S1P pathway in patients with diabetic retinopathy.
- To assess the clinical efficacy of OMT in managing DR progression.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study included 84 DR patients (41 OMT group, 43 non-OMT group) and 20 controls.
- Measured serum levels of S1P, VEGF, SPHK1, and SPHK2.
- Analyzed temporal changes in protein levels and DR progression before and after OMT treatment.
Main Results:
- DR patients showed significantly increased levels of the four target proteins compared to controls.
- OMT treatment led to significantly lower temporal changes in protein expression compared to the non-OMT group.
- No significant difference in DR progression was observed between the OMT and non-OMT groups.
Conclusions:
- OMT demonstrated an inhibitory effect on the SPHK/S1P pathway by downregulating key protein expression.
- The clinical effectiveness of OMT in halting diabetic retinopathy progression remains inconclusive based on this study.
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