Nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs prevent early diabetic retinopathy via TNF‐α suppression

Abstract

SPECIFIC AIMSDiabetic retinopathy remains a leading cause of blindness. The disease has an underlying inflammatory component, manifesting leukocyte recruitment and adhesion to the retinal vasculature and up-regulation of inflammatory genes. Earlier reports have shown that high doses of aspirin are associated with decreased severity of diabetic retinopathy in patients with concurrent rheumatoid arthritis. However, clinical trials of low and intermediate doses of aspirin failed to show a beneficial effect. The aim of the current study was to explore the mechanisms underlying this clinical dichotomy. The involvement of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), COX-2, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy was investigated in a rat model of diabetic retinopathy.PRINCIPAL FINDINGSAspirin, meloxicam, and eternacept reduce leukocyte adhesion in the diabetic retinaLeukocyte adhesion in diabetic retinas is elevated twofold more than levels in nondiabetic animals. High-...