Study supported by NDRI-sourced, generously donated, human tissue, identifies a potential treatment that preserves vision in Diabetic Retinal Disease
Scavenging Acrolein with 2-HDP Preserves Neurovascular Integrity in Diabetic Retinal Disease
Authors: Josy Augustine, Evan P. Troendle, Thomas Friedel, Caolan Baldwin, Eimear M. Byrne, Sadaf Ashraf, Paul Canning, Corey A. McAleese, Adam G. Rollo, Peter Barabas, Timothy J. Lyons, Martin B. Ulmschneider, Alan W. Stitt, and Tim M. Curtis
Published in: Diabetologia (2025)
Diabetic retinal disease (DRD) is a major cause of vision loss worldwide, and current treatments often address only the later stages of the condition. A new study published in Diabetologia reveals that a compound called 2-hydrazino-4,6-dimethylpyrimidine (2-HDP) may be able to protect the eye’s delicate neurovascular system in diabetes, potentially preventing vision loss before it begins.
Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast used both animal models and donated human retinal tissue to explore how acrolein, a harmful byproduct formed during diabetes, contributes to retinal injury. They discovered that 2-HDP neutralizes acrolein, reducing inflammation and preserving the health of retinal neurons and blood vessels.
Using post-mortem human retinas obtained through the National Disease Research Interchange (NDRI), the team confirmed that the same toxic compounds seen to accumulate in the retinas of diabetic rats were also found in human retinal tissue at significantly higher levels in those with diabetes. This result strengthens the relevance of the preclinical findings and underscores the essential role of human biospecimens in advancing research on diabetic complications.
Further, the study found that diabetic rats treated with 2-HDP maintained normal retinal function and structure, while untreated rats developed significant thinning of neural layers and vascular leakage. The compound also reduced molecular signs of stress and inflammation, helping to preserve communication between neurons and blood vessels.
While 2-HDP is not yet approved for human use, the research highlights the power of targeting early biochemical changes that precede visible damage. It also reinforces how tissue donation accelerates discoveries that could improve diagnosis and treatment for people living with diabetes. The generosity of donors makes this kind of translational research possible.