The potential benefits of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for diabetic retinopathy

For a long time, diabetic retinopathy (DR) has been one of the most severe complications of diabetes. The early treatment of DR is not clearly recognized. The additional benefit of hypoglycemic agents for DR has become a new research field. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) has been shown to be widely expressed in tissues including retina. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) have been generally used in the treatment of diabetic patients. Studies shows that GLP-1RA could inhibit nerve damage by decrease apoptosis of nerve cells and activation of glial cells. In addition, GLP-1RA plays a protective role for tight junction (TJ) and cells of blood retinal barrier (BRB). It also protects retina from BRB damage. In this review, we discuss the potential protective mechanisms of GLP-1RA for DR beyond the hypoglycemic effects.