Treatment of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy with Defibrotide in noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: a pilot study

• Published in: Acta ophthalmologica Scandinavica 1999-06, Vol.77 (3), p.315-320
• Main Authors: Vingolo, E M, De Mattia, G, Giusti, C, Forte, R, Laurenti, O, Pannarale, M R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Case-Control Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - complications; Diabetic Retinopathy - drug therapy; Diabetic Retinopathy - etiology; Diabetic Retinopathy - pathology; Dinoprostone - blood; Endothelin-1 - blood; Endothelium, Vascular - drug effects; Endothelium, Vascular - metabolism; Endothelium, Vascular - pathology; Epoprostenol - blood; Female; Fibrinolytic Agents - therapeutic use; Fluorescein Angiography; Follow-Up Studies; Fundus Oculi; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pilot Projects; Polydeoxyribonucleotides - therapeutic use; Retina - drug effects; Retina - metabolism; Retina - pathology; Thrombomodulin - blood; Thrombomodulin - drug effects; Tissue Plasminogen Activator - blood; Tissue Plasminogen Activator - drug effects; Treatment Outcome; Visual Field Tests
• ISSN: 1395-3907
• DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0420.1999.770314.x

Microvascular alterations, impairment of coagulation, ischemia and diffuse endothelial damage are related to the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Defibrotide has been demonstrated to produce profibrinolytic, cytoprotective and vasofacilatory activities. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Defibrotide in the treatment of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. Two randomized age- and sex-matched groups (cases and controls) of 35 NIDDM patients presenting non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy were included in this study: cases were treated with Defibrotide (800-1600 mg daily) for two years. All tested parameters (ETDRS visual acuity; computerized perimetry; retinography; fluorescein angiography), improved significantly (p