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Alpha-tocopherol in preventing progression of diabetic retinopathy
Salle S.W.
Gazzetta Medica Italiana Archivio Per Le Scienze Mediche
Q4Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) is an essential micronutrient and a fat-soluble antioxidant with a proposed role in delaying the progression of diabetic retinopathy through its properties. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to examine the role of alpha-tocopherol in preventing the progression of diabetic retinopathy.EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A literature search was conducted using four online databases: PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Scopus. The search terms included combinations of the primary key words “alpha-tocopherol” OR “vitamin E” AND “diabetic retinopathy” or their relevant synonyms.EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Using relevant search terms in various databases, a total of 4739 articles were initially included in this review. After several screening processes, a total of 18 articles were included in this review.CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin E that is administered as single or combination vehicle (dose range both 200-400 mg/day) provide benefits in preventing DR progression. Longer administration of vitamin E for 12 months to 5 years is proven to provide higher benefits through reducing abnormal biochemical mediators. The pharmacological effects thought to play a role in alpha-tocopherol administration in this study can generally be divided into five aspects: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, retinoprotective, anti-atherogenic, and antidiabetic.