Bioactive lipids in pathological retinopathy

Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2014;54(1):1-16. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2011.565523.

Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy is a common condition that occurs in patients with diabetes with long-standing hyperglycemia that is characterized by inappropriate angiogenesis. This pathological angiogenesis could be a sort of physiological proliferative response to injury by the endothelium. Recent studies suggested that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a significant role in this angiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent angiogenic growth factor that plays a significant role in diabetic retinopathy. The interaction between VEGF and ROS, and theirs in turn with pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory bioactive lipid molecules such as lipoxins, resolvins, protectins, and maresins is particularly relevant to understand the pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy and develop future therapeutic interventions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Cytokines / physiology
  • Diabetic Retinopathy / physiopathology*
  • Fatty Acids, Essential / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lipids / physiology*
  • Lipoxins / physiology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / physiopathology*
  • Polyesters
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / physiology
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / physiology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Cytokines
  • Fatty Acids, Essential
  • Lipids
  • Lipoxins
  • Polyesters
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • poly(lactide-co-trimethylene carbonate)
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2