Evidence supporting the use of: Glutathione
For the health condition: Diabetic Retinopathy

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Glutathione is an endogenous antioxidant that has been investigated for its potential role in counteracting oxidative stress, a key contributor to the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is characterized by damage to the retinal blood vessels due to chronic hyperglycemia, leading to increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent oxidative damage. Several preclinical studies and a limited number of clinical investigations have reported that glutathione levels are decreased in the retinas of diabetic subjects, and that antioxidant therapies—including glutathione precursors or agents that boost glutathione levels—may help reduce retinal oxidative stress and vascular damage.

However, direct supplementation with glutathione for diabetic retinopathy in humans is not well established. Most research has focused on indirect methods, such as N-acetylcysteine (a glutathione precursor) or dietary interventions to boost endogenous glutathione. Some small human studies have shown improvements in oxidative stress markers with such interventions, but robust clinical evidence demonstrating significant improvement in diabetic retinopathy outcomes is lacking. Thus, while there is a scientific rationale and some preliminary supporting data, the overall strength of evidence is low to moderate and not sufficient to recommend glutathione as a standard treatment for diabetic retinopathy at this time.

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