New diabetic retinopathy therapy possible
Posted on: Monday, 26 January 2009, 11:04 CST
U.S. scientists say they've developed a new therapy that may be effective in treating diabetic retinopathy -- a common eye-related complication of diabetes.
Researchers from the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston and ActiveSite Pharmaceuticals Inc. in San Francisco say they've demonstrated a specific inhibitor of the protease plasma kallikrein -- ASP-440, developed by ActiveSite Pharmaceuticals -- might provide such a new therapeutic approach.
Led by Harvard University Associate Professor Edward Feener, the researchers discovered continuous systemic administration of ASP-440 proved effective in decreasing hypertension-induced increased retinal vascular permeability in rodents by as much as 70 percent. The scientists said increased retinal vascular permeability is a primary cause of diabetic macular edema, a leading cause of visual impairment associated with diabetes.
ASP-440 was also found to be effective in lowering the elevated blood pressure in the animals.
These findings represent a pivotal step towards understanding the importance of plasma kallikrein as a target in diabetic eye disease and how its inhibition may support the development of a safe and effective therapy for diabetic retinopathy,
said Barbara Araneo, director of complications research for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
The research is reported in the February issue of the journal Hypertension.
Source: United Press International
Related Articles
- Sales of Therapies to Treat Diabetic Retinopathy, Diabetic Neuropathy and Diabetic Nephropathy Will Increase by More Than 70 Percent Through 2018
- Understanding Managed Markets: Effective Market Research Structures & Activities to Maximize Payer Access & Insights
- 'Snapshots' of Eyes Could Serve As Early Warning of Diabetes or Diabetic Eye Disease, U-M Researchers Report
- Pharma May Be Failing Diabetics But New Research Says Certain Foods Can Help
- WunderMarx Launches Web Site for UC Irvine Center for Diabetes Treatment and Research
- Quigley Pharma Scheduled to Commence Clinical Testing of QR-333, Its Topical Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Investigational New Drug; Pharmacokinetics Study at the Diabetes & Glandular Disease Research Center in San Antonio Slated for May 15th Start Date
- 'Pre-Diabetes and Diabetes Are Reaching Epidemic Proportions
- Effectiveness Solutions Research Corporation Launched to Provide Unbiased, Authoritative Insight Into Sales Training and Consulting Industry
- Obesity, Inactivity, and the Prevalence of Diabetes and Diabetes- Related Cardiovascular Comorbidities in the U.S., 2000-2002
- Effects of Oral Insulin in Relatives of Patients With Type 1 Diabetes: The Diabetes Prevention Trial-Type 1
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds