Oxidative stress and diabetic retinopathy: development and treatment

Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common microvascular complication in diabetic patients and one of the main causes of acquired blindness in the world. From the 90s until date, the incidence of this complication has increased. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a free radical with impaired electron that usually participates in the redox mechanisms of some body molecules such as enzymes, proteins, and so on. In normal biological conditions, ROS is maintained in equilibrium, however its overproduction can lead to biological process called oxidative stress and this is considered the main pathogenesis of DR. The retina is susceptible to ROS because of high-energy demands and exposure to light. When the balance is broken, ROS produces retinal cell injury by interacting with the cellular components. This article describes the possible role of oxidative stress in the development of DR and proposes some treatment options based on its stages. The review of the topic shows that blindness caused by DR can be avoided by early detection and timely treatment.

Optic nerve head perfusion changes preceding peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thinning in preclinical diabetic retinopathy

“…Oxidative stress is increased in the early stage of DR, leading to dysregulation of cellular physiology that damages both neuronal and vascular cells . In diabetic patients, microvasculature is compromised by multiple mechanisms.…”

“…28 Oxidative stress is increased in the early stage of DR, leading to dysregulation of cellular physiology that damages both neuronal and vascular cells. 29 In diabetic patients, microvasculature is compromised by multiple mechanisms. For example, retinal vascular endothelial cells may have impaired ability to liberate endothelial nitric oxide synthase, thus affecting retinal vascular autoregulation.…”

Adjuvant Therapy With Mushroom Polysaccharides for Diabetic Complications

“…DR, which is arteriosclerotic plate deposition caused by hyperglycemia, causes lesions of capillaries, arterioles and venules in the retina (Scanlon, 2019), subsequently causing retinal vascular inflammation (Calderon et al, 2017). DR is considered the most common microvascular complication leading to blindness (Dehdashtian et al, 2018).…”

Probucol Prevents Diabetes-Induced Retinal Neuronal Degeneration through Upregulating Nrf2

“…Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common microvascular complication in diabetic patients and one of the major causes of acquired blindness worldwide [1]. e pathogenesis of DR is multifaceted and involves oxidative stress [2], proinflammatory changes [3], and the production of advanced glycation end products [4]. ese processes lead to dysfunction of multiple types of retinal cells, including vascular endothelial cells, pericytes, neurons damages, and glial cells.…”