Oral Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-α Agonist Enhances Corneal Nerve Regeneration in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes.

ABSTRACT: Diabetic corneal neuropathy (DCN) is a common complication of diabetes. However, there are very limited therapeutic options. We investigated the effects of a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) agonist, fenofibrate, on 30 patients (60 eyes) with type 2 diabetes. On in vivo confocal microscopy evaluation, there was significant stimulation of corneal nerve regeneration and a reduction in nerve edema after 30 days of oral fenofibrate treatment, as evidenced by significant improvement in corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD) and corneal nerve fiber width, respectively. Corneal epithelial cell morphology also significantly improved in cell circularity. Upon clinical examination, fenofibrate significantly improved patients' neuropathic ocular surface status by increasing tear brea

SUBMITTER: Teo CHY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10281232 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature