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Huang Y, Rao S, Sun X, Liu J. Advances in molecular epidemiology of diabetic retinopathy: from genomics to gut microbiomics. Mol Biol Rep 2025; 52:304. [PMID: 40080283 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-025-10383-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2025] [Indexed: 03/15/2025]
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains a prevalent complication of diabetes mellitus and a leading cause of blindness worldwide. The growing global diabetic population underscores the urgency to deepen our understanding of DR pathogenesis and develop effective prevention strategies. This review synthesizes recent advancements in molecular epidemiology, spanning genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and gut microbiomics, elucidating genetic underpinnings, epigenetic modifications, transcriptional alterations, protein biomarkers, metabolic disruptions, and gut microbiota dysbiosis associated with DR. Highlighted are key findings from genome-wide association studies (GWAS), Mendelian randomization (MR) studies, candidate gene association studies, and advancements in epigenetic mechanisms, revealing intricate disease pathways and potential therapeutic targets. Additionally, insights into altered metabolic profiles and gut microbiota compositions in DR underscore their emerging roles in disease progression and complications. Challenges and future directions in molecular epidemiological research are discussed to accelerate the translation of these findings into clinical applications for personalized DR management. The integration of multi-omics research findings may provide novel perspectives for facilitating rapid and accurate disease diagnosis, enabling dynamic disease monitoring, and advancing targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yida Huang
- Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Suyun Rao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xufang Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Jun Liu
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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Sanz-González SM, García-Medina JJ, Zanón-Moreno V, López-Gálvez MI, Galarreta-Mira D, Duarte L, Valero-Velló M, Ramírez AI, Arévalo JF, Pinazo-Durán MD, on behalf of the Valencia Study Group on Diabetic Retinopathy (VSDR) Report number 4. Clinical and Molecular-Genetic Insights into the Role of Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Retinopathy: Antioxidant Strategies and Future Avenues. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:E1101. [PMID: 33182408 PMCID: PMC7697026 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9111101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction and ROS-signaling pathways activation attack the eyes. We evaluated the oxidative stress (OS) and the effects of a daily, core nutritional supplement regimen containing antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids (A/ω3) in type 2 diabetics (T2DM). A case-control study was carried out in 480 participants [287 T2DM patients with (+)/without (-) diabetic retinopathy (DR) and 193 healthy controls (CG)], randomly assigned to a daily pill of A/ω3. Periodic evaluation through 38 months allowed to outline patient characteristics, DR features, and classic/OS blood parameters. Statistics were performed by the SPSS 24.0 program. Diabetics displayed significantly higher circulating pro-oxidants (p = 0.001) and lower antioxidants (p = 0.0001) than the controls. Significantly higher plasma malondialdehyde/thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (MDA/TBARS; p = 0.006) and lower plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC; p = 0.042) and vitamin C (0.020) was found in T2DM + DR versus T2DM-DR. The differential expression profile of solute carrier family 23 member 2 (SLC23A2) gene was seen in diabetics versus the CG (p = 0.001), and in T2DM + DR versus T2DM - DR (p < 0.05). The A/ω3 regime significantly reduced the pro-oxidants (p < 0.05) and augmented the antioxidants (p < 0.05). This follow-up study supports that a regular A/ω3 supplementation reduces the oxidative load and may serve as a dietary prophylaxis/adjunctive intervention for patients at risk of diabetic blindness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia M. Sanz-González
- Ophthalmic Research Unit “Santiago Grisolía”, Fundación Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica (FISABIO), Ave. Gaspar Aguilar 90, 46017 Valencia, Spain; (S.M.S.-G.); (J.J.G.-M.); (V.Z.-M.); (M.V.-V.); (M.D.P.-D.)
- Cellular and Molecular Ophthalmo-Biology Group, University of Valencia, Ave. Blasco Ibañez 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Spanish Net of Ophthalmic Research “OFTARED” RD16/0008/0022, of the Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.I.L.-G.); (D.G.-M.)
| | - José J. García-Medina
- Ophthalmic Research Unit “Santiago Grisolía”, Fundación Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica (FISABIO), Ave. Gaspar Aguilar 90, 46017 Valencia, Spain; (S.M.S.-G.); (J.J.G.-M.); (V.Z.-M.); (M.V.-V.); (M.D.P.-D.)
- Cellular and Molecular Ophthalmo-Biology Group, University of Valencia, Ave. Blasco Ibañez 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Spanish Net of Ophthalmic Research “OFTARED” RD16/0008/0022, of the Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.I.L.-G.); (D.G.-M.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, General University Hospital Morales Meseguer, Ave. Marques de los Velez, s/n 30008 Murcia, Spain
- Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, University of Murcia, Edificio LAIB Planta 5ª, Carretera Buenavista s/n, 30120 El Palmar Murcia, Spain
| | - Vicente Zanón-Moreno
- Ophthalmic Research Unit “Santiago Grisolía”, Fundación Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica (FISABIO), Ave. Gaspar Aguilar 90, 46017 Valencia, Spain; (S.M.S.-G.); (J.J.G.-M.); (V.Z.-M.); (M.V.-V.); (M.D.P.-D.)
- Cellular and Molecular Ophthalmo-Biology Group, University of Valencia, Ave. Blasco Ibañez 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Spanish Net of Ophthalmic Research “OFTARED” RD16/0008/0022, of the Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.I.L.-G.); (D.G.-M.)
- Area of Health, Valencian International University, Calle Pintor Sorolla 21, 46002 Valencia, Spain
| | - María I. López-Gálvez
- Spanish Net of Ophthalmic Research “OFTARED” RD16/0008/0022, of the Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.I.L.-G.); (D.G.-M.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University Clinic Hospital, Ave. Ramón y Cajal 3, 47003 Valladolid, Spain
| | - David Galarreta-Mira
- Spanish Net of Ophthalmic Research “OFTARED” RD16/0008/0022, of the Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.I.L.-G.); (D.G.-M.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, The University Clinic Hospital, Ave. Ramón y Cajal 3, 47003 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Lilianne Duarte
- Department of Ophthalmology, Complexo Hospitalar “Entre Douro e Vouga”, 4520-211 Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal;
| | - Mar Valero-Velló
- Ophthalmic Research Unit “Santiago Grisolía”, Fundación Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica (FISABIO), Ave. Gaspar Aguilar 90, 46017 Valencia, Spain; (S.M.S.-G.); (J.J.G.-M.); (V.Z.-M.); (M.V.-V.); (M.D.P.-D.)
| | - Ana I. Ramírez
- Spanish Net of Ophthalmic Research “OFTARED” RD16/0008/0022, of the Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.I.L.-G.); (D.G.-M.)
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and Otorrinolaringology, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Universidad Complutense, Calle Arcos de Jalón 118, 28037 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas “Ramón Castroviejo”, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Complutense, Plaza Ramón y Cajal, s/n 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - J. Fernando Arévalo
- Wilmer s Eye Institute at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA;
| | - María D. Pinazo-Durán
- Ophthalmic Research Unit “Santiago Grisolía”, Fundación Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica (FISABIO), Ave. Gaspar Aguilar 90, 46017 Valencia, Spain; (S.M.S.-G.); (J.J.G.-M.); (V.Z.-M.); (M.V.-V.); (M.D.P.-D.)
- Cellular and Molecular Ophthalmo-Biology Group, University of Valencia, Ave. Blasco Ibañez 15, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Spanish Net of Ophthalmic Research “OFTARED” RD16/0008/0022, of the Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.I.L.-G.); (D.G.-M.)
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