title: Significance of the antiangiogenic mechanisms of thalidomide in the therapy of diabetic retinopathy.
abstract: Diabetic retinopathy is an ocular complication associated with the chronic endocrine disorder of diabetes mellitus. Angiogenesis is adjudged as a prime modulatory event in this complication. The formation of new blood vessels on the pre-existing vasculature gives rise to an abundance of anatomical and physiological alterations which ultimately results in vision loss. The drastic consequences of this complication prompt the obligation of developing effective therapies for its cure. The existing therapy mainly includes destructive techniques such as laser photocoagulation. Owing to the various drawbacks associated with this technique, there is a need to develop alternative therapies which could halt the progression of diabetic retinopathy without causing considerable damage to the retinal cells. One such possible alternative treatment being researched upon is the antiangiogenic therapy. Since angiogenesis is a critical event during the progression of this disorder, targeting this event may perhaps prove effective in its treatment. Amongst several antiangiogenic agents, thalidomide holds a reputable position due to its effectiveness in terminating angiogenesis during various pathological conditions. This review focuses on the diverse molecular mechanisms proposed to explain the antiangiogenic properties of thalidomide and their applicability in diabetic retinopathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India. Electronic address: tapanbehl31@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tapan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Behl
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Chandigarh College of Pharmacy, Mohali, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Ishneet
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Husbandry, Junga, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Heena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Goel
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kotwani
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D042501:Angiogenic Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D015861:Retinal Neovascularization; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D042501:Angiogenic Proteins; D013792:Thalidomide
keywords: Angiopoietin-2; NF-kappa B; TNF-α; Thalidomide; VEGF; bFGF