Acrolein: A Potential Mediator of Oxidative Damage in Diabetic Retinopathy

Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of vision loss among working-age adults. Extensive evidences have documented that oxidative stress mediates a critical role in the pathogenesis of DR. Acrolein, a product of polyamines oxidation and lipid peroxidation, has been demonstrated to be involved in the pathogenesis of various human diseases. Acrolein's harmful effects are mediated through multiple mechanisms, including DNA damage, inflammation, ROS formation, protein adduction, membrane disruption, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Recent investigations have reported the involvement of acrolein in the pathogenesis of DR. These studies have shown a detrimental effect of acrolein on the retinal neurovascular unit under diabetic conditions. The current review summarizes the existing literature on the sources of acrolein, the impact of acrolein in the generation of oxidative damage in the diabetic retina, and the mechanisms of acrolein action in the pathogenesis of DR. The possible therapeutic interventions such as the use of polyamine oxidase inhibitors, agents with antioxidant properties, and acrolein scavengers to reduce acrolein toxicity are also discussed.

Keywords: acrolein; diabetic retinopathy; oxidative stress; polyamine oxidation; vision.

Figure 1

Diagrammatic representation of acrolein formation through polyamine oxidation pathway (A) and lipid peroxidation pathway (B). PAO: polyamine oxidase; SMOX: spermine oxidase; SSAT: spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase; ALEs: advanced lipid peroxidation end products; MDA: malondialdehyde; ROS: reactive oxygen species; 4-HNE: 4-Hydroxynonenal.

Figure 2

Schematic representation of the potential mechanisms of action of acrolein in the diabetic retina.

Figure 3

The molecular targets of acrolein in diabetic retinopathy (DR) development. GSH, glutathione; HO-1, heme oxygenase-1, Nrf2, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2; CCL1, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 1; CXCL1, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1; CCL2, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2; ICAM-1, intercellular adhesion molecule 1; IL-6, interleukin 6; IL-1β, interleukin 1 beta, TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor alpha; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor and TGF-β, transforming growth factor beta.