Molecule causing loss of vision in diabetics discovered
One of the main causes of loss of vision is Diabetic Retinopathy, throughout the world. In a major breakthrough, Japanese researchers have discovered erythropoietin, the molecule that causes diabetic retinopathy. A study was conducted on 73 diabetic patients who were in the last stages of retinopathy and 71 people without diabetes. Results show the levels of erythropoietin to be 12 times higher in the eyes of the diabetics. Also observed was a very high level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which stimulates blood vessel growth and contributes to diabetic retinopathy. Around 700,000 americans have diabetic retinopathy and diabetes causes blindness in 5000 people every year. A lot of effort is being spent in developing several drugs that could block action of VEGF. You can get the complete report here.
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