title: Calcium dobesilate reduces endothelin-1 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein serum levels in patients with diabetic retinopathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the benefits of calcium dobesilate (CaD) administration on endothelial function and inflammatory status in patients with diabetic retinopathy through measurement of serum levels of endothelin-1 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 90 patients with either severe nonproliferative or proliferative diabetic retinopathy and with blood glucose level of 120-200 mg/dl were randomly allocated to treatment with either CaD tablets (500 mg daily) or placebo for 3 months. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and macular status were performed before the study. The serum levels of endothelin-1 and hsCRP were evaluated in both groups before and at the third month of the trial.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median serum level of hsCRP significantly differed between the groups 3 months following the CaD or placebo administration (2.2 mg/l in the CaD group versus 3.7 mg/l in the placebo group, p=0.01). The mean endothelin-1 serum level was 0.69±0.32 pg/ml in the CaD group and 0.86±0.30 pg/ml in the placebo group (p=0.01). Furthermore, in the CaD group, the serum levels of both endothelin-1 and hsCRP were significantly decreased 3 months after administration of CaD (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Administration of the CaD in the patients with diabetic retinopathy may reduce the serum levels of endothelin-1 and hsCRP. This might imply amelioration of the endothelial function and inflammatory status following CaD therapy in these patients.
authors: Nikookari Eye Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Alireza
authors: A
authors: Javadzadeh
authors: Amir
authors: A
authors: Ghorbanihaghjo
authors: Farzad Hami
authors: FH
authors: Adl
authors: Dima
authors: D
authors: Andalib
authors: Hassan
authors: H
authors: Khojasteh-Jafari
authors: Kamyar
authors: K
authors: Ghabili
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002123:Calcium Dobesilate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D019332:Endothelin-1; D006490:Hemostatics; D008055:Lipids; D002123:Calcium Dobesilate; D002097:C-Reactive Protein