Lower Somatostatin Expression Is an Early Event in Diabetic Retinopathy and Is Associated With Retinal Neurodegeneration

Abstract

Underproduction of SST is an early event in the eyes of diabetic patients and is associated with glial activation and neural death. In addition, our results suggest that RPE is an important source of SST in the human eye. The possible role of the lower production of SST in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy requires further investigation.