Neuroprotection as a Therapeutic Target for Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a multifactorial progressive disease of the retina and a leading cause of vision loss. DR has long been regarded as a vascular disorder, although neuronal death and visual impairment appear before vascular lesions, suggesting an important role played by neurodegeneration...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2016-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Diabetes Research |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/9508541 |
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| author | Cristina Hernández Massimo Dal Monte Rafael Simó Giovanni Casini |
| author_facet | Cristina Hernández Massimo Dal Monte Rafael Simó Giovanni Casini |
| author_sort | Cristina Hernández |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a multifactorial progressive disease of the retina and a leading cause of vision loss. DR has long been regarded as a vascular disorder, although neuronal death and visual impairment appear before vascular lesions, suggesting an important role played by neurodegeneration in DR and the appropriateness of neuroprotective strategies. Upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the main target of current therapies, is likely to be one of the first responses to retinal hyperglycemic stress and VEGF may represent an important survival factor in early phases of DR. Of central importance for clinical trials is the detection of retinal neurodegeneration in the clinical setting, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography seems the most indicated technique. Many substances have been tested in animal studies for their neuroprotective properties and for possible use in humans. Perhaps, the most intriguing perspective is the use of endogenous neuroprotective substances or nutraceuticals. Together, the data point to the central role of neurodegeneration in the pathogenesis of DR and indicate neuroprotection as an effective strategy for treating this disease. However, clinical trials to determine not only the effectiveness and safety but also the compliance of a noninvasive route of drug administration are needed. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-26dc63194a0a44e385e10e45defb819b |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2314-6745 2314-6753 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2016-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Diabetes Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-26dc63194a0a44e385e10e45defb819b2025-02-03T06:08:30ZengWileyJournal of Diabetes Research2314-67452314-67532016-01-01201610.1155/2016/95085419508541Neuroprotection as a Therapeutic Target for Diabetic RetinopathyCristina Hernández0Massimo Dal Monte1Rafael Simó2Giovanni Casini3CIBERDEM (CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabolicas Asociadas) and Diabetes and Metabolism Research Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, SpainDepartment of Biology, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 31, 56127 Pisa, ItalyCIBERDEM (CIBER de Diabetes y Enfermedades Metabolicas Asociadas) and Diabetes and Metabolism Research Unit, Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Passeig Vall d’Hebron 119-129, 08035 Barcelona, SpainDepartment of Biology, University of Pisa, Via San Zeno 31, 56127 Pisa, ItalyDiabetic retinopathy (DR) is a multifactorial progressive disease of the retina and a leading cause of vision loss. DR has long been regarded as a vascular disorder, although neuronal death and visual impairment appear before vascular lesions, suggesting an important role played by neurodegeneration in DR and the appropriateness of neuroprotective strategies. Upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the main target of current therapies, is likely to be one of the first responses to retinal hyperglycemic stress and VEGF may represent an important survival factor in early phases of DR. Of central importance for clinical trials is the detection of retinal neurodegeneration in the clinical setting, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography seems the most indicated technique. Many substances have been tested in animal studies for their neuroprotective properties and for possible use in humans. Perhaps, the most intriguing perspective is the use of endogenous neuroprotective substances or nutraceuticals. Together, the data point to the central role of neurodegeneration in the pathogenesis of DR and indicate neuroprotection as an effective strategy for treating this disease. However, clinical trials to determine not only the effectiveness and safety but also the compliance of a noninvasive route of drug administration are needed.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/9508541 |
| spellingShingle | Cristina Hernández Massimo Dal Monte Rafael Simó Giovanni Casini Neuroprotection as a Therapeutic Target for Diabetic Retinopathy Journal of Diabetes Research |
| title | Neuroprotection as a Therapeutic Target for Diabetic Retinopathy |
| title_full | Neuroprotection as a Therapeutic Target for Diabetic Retinopathy |
| title_fullStr | Neuroprotection as a Therapeutic Target for Diabetic Retinopathy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Neuroprotection as a Therapeutic Target for Diabetic Retinopathy |
| title_short | Neuroprotection as a Therapeutic Target for Diabetic Retinopathy |
| title_sort | neuroprotection as a therapeutic target for diabetic retinopathy |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/9508541 |
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