Cellular targets in diabetic retinopathy therapy.

Despite the existence of treatment for diabetes, inadequate metabolic control triggers the appearance of chronic complications such as diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is considered a multifactorial disease of complex etiology in which oxidative stress and low chronic inflammation play essential roles. Chronic exposure to hyperglycemia triggers a loss of redox balance that is critical for the appearance of neuronal and vascular damage during the development and progression of the disease.

Pterostilbene Prevents Early Diabetic Retinopathy Alterations in a Rabbit Experimental Model.

Oxidative stress generated by diabetes plays a key role in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR), a common diabetic complication. DR remains asymptomatic until it reaches advanced stages, which complicate its treatment. Although it is known that good metabolic control is essential for preventing DR, knowledge of the disease is incomplete and an effective treatment with no side effects is lacking.

Oxidative Stress and Microvascular Alterations in Diabetic Retinopathy: Future Therapies.

Diabetes is a disease that can be treated with oral antidiabetic agents and/or insulin. However, patients' metabolic control is inadequate in a high percentage of them and a major cause of chronic diseases like diabetic retinopathy. Approximately 15% of patients have some degree of diabetic retinopathy when diabetes is first diagnosed, and most will have developed this microvascular complication after 20 years.