Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

Calcium dobesilate combined with candesartan in the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy and its effect on TGF-b1, VEGF and IL-19 levels in the vitreous humor

Hongying Ji, Sujie Fan , Limin Du, Wei Shi, Hui Miao, Jing Wu

Department of Ophthalmology, Handan City Eye Hospital, The Third Hospital of Handan, Handan, China;

For correspondence:- Sujie Fan Email: fansujie3@163.com Tel:+8618503108839

Accepted: 25 February 2024 Published: 31 March 2024

Citation: Ji H, Fan S, Du L, Shi W, Miao H, Wu J. Calcium dobesilate combined with candesartan in the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy and its effect on TGF-b1, VEGF and IL-19 levels in the vitreous humor. Trop J Pharm Res 2024; 23(3):571-577 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v23i3.11

© 2024 The authors.
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Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of a combination therapy involving calcium dobesilate and candesartan in the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy and its impact on the transforming growth factor b1 (TGF-b1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-19 (IL-19) levels in the vitreous humor.

Methods: Between January 2020 and May 2023, 112 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy from Handan City Eye Hospital, China were enrolled in this study. They were divided into two groups: study group (n = 56) - orally administered 500 mg of calcium dobesilate combined with 50 mg of candesartan daily - and control group (n = 56), received calcium dobesilate only. Patients began treatment with calcium dobesilate and candesartan as soon as diabetic retinopathy was diagnosed. Treatment efficacy, changes in hemorrhage area, macular thickness and best-corrected visual acuity were assessed before and after treatment (for a duration of 60 days).

Results: Study group had significantly higher (p < 0.05) treatment efficacy compared to control group, achieving a total effective rate of 92.86 %. It also exhibited reduced hemorrhage area and macular thickness, which were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those in control group. Best-corrected visual acuity was significantly higher in the study group (p < 0.05) followed by improved peak systolic velocity and end-diastolic velocity after treatment (p < 0.05). Additionally, TGF-b1, VEGF and IL-19 levels in the vitreous humor were significantly lower in study group compared to control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The combination of calcium dobesilate and candesartan demonstrates significant therapeutic efficacy in treating proliferative diabetic retinopathy while reducing the TGF-b1, VEGF and IL-19 levels in the vitreous humor. Large-scale studies are needed to validate these findings and delve into treatment mechanisms and long-term effects.

Keywords: Calcium dobesilate, Candesartan, Proliferative diabetic retinopathy, Efficacy, Transforming growth factor b1, Vascular endothelial growth factor, Inte