Diabetes medications can cure blindness

The research results of scientists from the US, announced on 7/5 in the journal Science and the scientific investigation of visual eye (Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science) showed that drug metformin, a popular therapy that treatment for millions of patients with Type 2 diabetes today, may become effective drugs blindness.

In the test cell culture and mice, scientists have found that metformin, components which are used to control blood sugar levels in diabetics, there are important uses More significantly reduce the impact of uveitis, the causes tissue inflammation outer surface of the eyeball, causing blindness in humans.

Currently, Uveitis is the cause of 10-15% of all cases of blindness in the United States and the leading cause of blindness caused a high rate worldwide.

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Kota Ramana Professor with the University of Texas Medical Galveston (UTMB) said Uveitis originating from many causes, most commonly due to infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders, all these causes has produced custard eye inflammation. The study confirmed Metformin inhibits and prevents the inflammatory tissue eyeballs.

Scientists have discovered the benefits of metformin when tested on mice.

UTMB professor Satish Srivastava, co-author of the study, said: "We found that this drug is a good therapy and anti-inflammatory effect is very good. If we provide a dosage prior to this for mice, they did not develop uveitis agent, and if provided after uveitis therapy has grown, they have anti-inflammatory effects and prevent disease. Clearly, Metformin has anti-inflammatory properties very strong ".

According to the researchers, metformin works by activating enzyme called AMPK, which inhibit the activity of NF-kappa B protein. The NF-kappa B restraint prevents the production of molecules signs of inflammation, cytokines and chemokines capital necessary to create and maintain uveitis.

Since metformin is widely used as a treatment for diabetes, the scientists believe that it is possible to become drug resistant uveitis effective cure blindness worldwide.