title: Role of leukotrienes in diabetic retinopathy.
abstract: The pathophysiology of diabetic retinopathy is highly complex and encompasses the detrimental roles of numerous factors/mediators in inducing various molecular pathological alterations. Although the roles of many inflammatory mediators, involved in the progression of this complication, have been thoroughly researched and studied, the part played by leukotrienes remains widely neglected. This review focuses on leukotrienes-induced mediation and aggravation of the pathological pathways, such as inflammation, oxidative stress and retinal angiogenesis, responsible for exhibition of various characteristic events including leukostasis, macular edema, retinal neovascularization and vitreous hemorrhages, hence, marking the advent of diabetic retinopathy. Acknowledging these roles, it might be possible to potentially utilize leukotrienes antagonists for suppressing or reducing the intensity of the mentioned pathological alterations. Hence, leukotrienes antagonists may act as an effective adjuvant therapy either along with other developing novel therapies (such as anti-VEGF or anti-TNF-α therapy), or with the established conventional laser photocoagulation treatment, to provide additional symptomatic relief or, possibly prevent the progression of 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 Pharmacology, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute, University of Delhi, Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kotwani
mesh_terms: D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015289:Leukotrienes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015861:Retinal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D020024:Leukotriene Antagonists; D015289:Leukotrienes
keywords: Adhesion molecules; Cysteinyl leukotrienes; Oxidative stress; Retinal angiogenesis