Clinical Research Directory

The Effect of Pyridoxamine Supplementation on Microvascular Function in Type 2 Diabetes

Patients with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of developing vascular complications. Microvascular dysfunction might be caused by the increased production of methylglyoxal under hyperglycaemic conditions. Methylglyoxal is a by-product of glycolysis and forms advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) on proteins and DNA, thereby disrupting their function. Preventing methylglyoxal accumulation and AGEs formation may offer a therapeutic option for treating microvascular complications in diabetics. Pyridoxamine is a vitamin B6 vitamer that scavenges methylglyoxal and thereby inhibits the formation of AGEs. In this study, the researchers investigate whether pyridoxamine supplementation in type 2 diabetes improves microvascular function in the eye, kidney and skin, and reduces markers of endothelial dysfunction and glycation.

Impact of the New Generation Anti-diabetic Drugs on Diabetic Retinopathy

This study aims to test the impact of new-generation anti-diabetic drugs, such as SGLT2 inhibitors and DPP-4 inhibitors, on the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR). The study hypothesizes that these drugs have protective effects in diabetic retinopathy by delaying its incidence compared to older agents (including metformin) only. Early intervention is critical, as treatment options for advanced stages of DR are limited in terms of their ability to restore impaired vision and their high associated costs. By focusing on delaying the occurrence of diabetic retinopathy, the investigators aim to reduce the burden of DR and improve the quality of life for diabetic patients.