OXIDATIVE STRESS AND INFLAMMATORY PATHWAYS IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY: A REVIEW

Obasi Miriam Oluchi*, Iwuamadi Ojiugo, Oparaocha Divinegift, Nwadike Constance Nnedimma, Nnodim John Kennedy

ABSTRACT

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a prevalent microvascular consequence of diabetesmellitus and continues to be a primary cause of preventable blindness globally. Eventhough there have been improvements in how diabetes is managed and eye care, thenumber of people with DR keeps going up. This shows that we need to learn moreabout how it works at the molecular level. There is more and more proof thatoxidative stress and long-term inflammation are major causes of retinal impairmentin diabetes. Chronic hyperglycemia stimulates the overproduction of reactive oxygenspecies (ROS), which subsequently activates inflammatory signalling pathways,compromises the blood-retinal barrier, and causes neuronal and vasculardysfunction. This study critically analyses the molecular processes connectingoxidative stress and inflammatory pathways in diabetic retinopathy, focussing on thefunctions of NF-κB signalling, the NLRP3 inflammasome, mitochondrial failure, andpro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, novel treatment approaches addressingoxidative stress and inflammation, such as antioxidant and combination therapy, areexamined.

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