Analysis of retinal tissue from humans with diabetes shows the presence of these toxic molecules, suggesting that 2-HDP could potentially target similar harmful molecules in people.

The drug's mechanism involves neutralizing molecules associated with disease progression and vision loss, highlighting its potential to intervene early in diabetic retinal disease.

Diabetic retinal disease damages the retina’s nerve cells and blood vessels due to high blood sugar, often leading to vision problems or blindness if left untreated.

As a leading cause of vision loss among working-age adults, diabetic retinal disease currently has treatments that mainly address later stages, underscoring the need for early intervention.

Researchers emphasize the importance of developing treatments targeting early retinal changes to prevent irreversible vision loss, with 2-HDP showing promising potential to reduce visual impairment.

The study involved multiple institutions, including King’s College London, the Medway School of Pharmacy, and the Medical University of South Carolina, and used computer simulations to suggest that 2-HDP could be developed into tablet-based treatments.

Because 2-HDP can easily enter cells, it opens the possibility of creating convenient tablet-based treatments, emphasizing the importance of early intervention in diabetic retinal disease.

Recent research demonstrates that a drug called 2-HDP can protect retinal nerve cells and blood vessels in diabetic retinopathy by neutralizing harmful molecules that accumulate during the disease, which could help preserve vision.