Remote Ischemic Conditioning for Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) represents an early yet critical stage of diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of vision loss globally. Despite advancements in medical treatments such as anti-VEGF therapy and laser photocoagulation, there remains a significant gap in safe and effective interventions to halt or reverse NPDR progression. Current therapies often focus on advanced disease stages, leaving early-stage management a challenge.

Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) introduces a novel, non-invasive approach to NPDR treatment. Based on the concept of "fighting hypoxia with hypoxia," RIC employs intermittent cycles of ischemia and reperfusion in the limbs to trigger endogenous protective mechanisms against hypoxic damage. Experimental studies have highlighted RIC's potential benefits, including enhanced retinal oxygenation, reduced pathological vascular proliferation, and preservation of retinal ganglion cells.

This study is designed as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate RIC's safety and efficacy in adults aged 40-80 years with mild to moderate NPDR. The trial features meticulous inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure the reliability of findings. Participants will undergo either RIC or placebo therapy using a specialized device. The RIC group will receive therapy at 200 mmHg inflation pressure, while the placebo group will undergo sham treatment at 60 mmHg. Both treatments will follow the same cycle and frequency, ensuring blinding is maintained.

The study's outcomes include comprehensive assessments of retinal structure and function, systemic biomarkers, and safety metrics. These encompass changes in Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Score (DRSS), retinal neurovascular parameters, visual acuity, and retinal oxygenation. Serum biomarkers such as VEGF, CRP, and IL-6 will provide insights into systemic inflammatory and vascular changes post-treatment.

The findings from this trial are expected to offer preliminary evidence on RIC as a safe and effective intervention for NPDR. This work aims to lay the groundwork for future large-scale studies and provide clinicians with a potential strategy to reduce the burden of diabetic retinopathy and its associated complications.

Inclusion criteria

• Age between 40 and 80 years.
• Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
• Diagnosed with mild to moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) with a DR Severity Score (DRSS) grade of 20-47D.
• Capable of performing daily activities independently.
• Willing and able to provide informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of diabetic macular edema (macular thickness > 250 μm).
• Significant eye diseases affecting evaluation, such as high myopia, severe cataract, corneal leucoma, glaucoma, retinal detachment, retinal vein occlusion, congenital eye diseases, ocular tumors, or severe infection.
• History of ocular laser or intraocular surgery.
• Poor imaging quality due to refractive media opacity.
• Contraindication to fluorescein fundus angiography.
• Unstable blood glucose (HbA1c ≥ 8.0%) despite oral antidiabetic drugs.
• Severe diabetes complications within the past 6 months.
• Severe, sustained hypertension (systolic ≥ 180 mmHg or diastolic ≥ 110 mmHg).
• Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 28 kg/m².
• Hepatic or renal insufficiency: Alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase > 2 times the upper limit of normal. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73m². Urine albumin/creatinine ratio ≥ 30 mg/g.
• Myocardial infarction within the past 6 months.
• Neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, cerebrovascular disease, intracranial tumor, cerebrovascular malformation, or aneurysm.
• Contraindications to RIC, including one-sided subclavian artery stenosis, upper limb injuries or vascular diseases, or limb deformities.
• Severe systemic diseases, such as malignant tumors with a life expectancy of less than 24 months.
• Known pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Participation in other experimental clinical studies.
• Any other conditions deemed unsuitable by the investigator.