THE IMPACT OF DYSLIPIDEMIA ON THE PROGRESSION OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY: A BIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

Introduction. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus, often leading to vision loss. To effectively manage it, this article aimed to elucidate how lipid metabolism disorders influence the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of this condition.

Material and methods. A literature review was conducted to assess the role of dyslipidemia in DR. Publications from the last 20 years were extracted from PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. From a total of 60 scientific articles, 21 relevant articles were selected to analyze how lipid metabolism modulates inflammation, oxidative stress, and vascular changes in patients with DR.

Results. The studies highlight a positive correlation between elevated LDL and triglyceride levels and the severity of DR: patients with advanced DR had significantly higher lipid levels compared with patients without or early-stage DR. An increase in inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6) and oxidative stress markers were also observed in patients with dyslipidemia and DR. Endothelial dysfunction was evidenced by decreased nitric oxide levels and increased expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1. Notably, immunohistochemical analysis revealed significant lipid accumulation in the retina, associated with inflammation and cellular degeneration.

Conclusions. Dyslipidemia significantly contributes to the progression of DR by negatively modulating inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. Interventions aimed at reducing serum lipid levels could ameliorate the progression of DR, suggesting the need for further studies to develop personalized treatment strategies.