Journal of Inflammation Research (Dec 2021)
Recent Insights into the Role of Gut Microbiota in Diabetic Retinopathy
Abstract
Jinghua Jiao,1,* Honghua Yu,2,* Litong Yao,3,* Lihua Li,4 Xiaohong Yang,2 Lei Liu2 1Department of Anesthesiology, Central Hospital, Shenyang Medical College, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110024, People’s Republic of China; 2Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110001, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Ophthalmology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, 261031, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Xiaohong Yang; Lei Liu Email [email protected]; [email protected]: The microbiome has become a hot issue in recent years. The composition, modification, alteration, and disturbance of gut microbiota were found to influence important physiological processes, including energy metabolism and microenvironmental homeostasis, and lead to various diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus and one of the leading causes of blindness and vision impairment. The underlying mechanisms in DR pathogenesis remain limited. Recently, important insights have been made regarding possible connections between gut microbiome dysbiosis and ocular disease including DR, uveitis, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration, and the concept of a “microbiota–gut–retina axis” has been put forward. Hence, we reviewed current understanding of the relationship between DR and gut microbiota. We summarized potential pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to the role of the gut microbiota on DR, including hyperglycemia, anti-diabetes drugs, microbial metabolites, and inflammatory properties. We aimed to find novel effective therapeutic options to prevent the onset and development of DR.Keywords: retinopathy, bacteria, microbiota, microbiota–gut–retina axis, mechanism
