New Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy

Millions of people around the globe contend with Type II diabetes, a condition that can result in a number of health complications, including vision loss and blindness. However, a new study indicates that a possible treatment showed anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects on the retina and optic nerve head. The findings, appearing in The American Journal of Pathology, showed promising results with type 2 diabetic retinopathy using animal models. The treatment

involves the use of Glucagon-Like Peptide Receptor Agonist Lixisenatide.

“Inflammation causes neurodegeneration as well as microvascular abnormalities in the retina,” explained lead investigator Jin A. Choi, Ph.D., Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, St. Vincent’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea. “Diabetic retinal neurodegeneration can occur before the onset of clinical diabetic retinal microvascular abnormalities. Therefore, therapeutics for neurodegeneration may provide a novel interventional strategy in the window period between the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and the onset of clinically manifested diabetic retinopathy.”

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New Potential Therapeutic Candidate Found for Early Type 2 Diabetic Retinopathy