The benzodiazepine anesthetic midazolam prevents hyperglycemia-induced microvascular leakage in the retinas of diabetic mice

What is it about?

Anesthetics, including midazolam, are widely used for induction and maintenance of anesthesia, anxiolysis, and sedation; however, their preventive effects against hyperglycemia-induced vascular leakage and diabetic complications, including diabetic retinopathy, are unknown._x000D_ Thus, we investigated the beneficial effects of midazolam against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced vascular leakage and its molecular mechanism of action in human retinal endothelial cells and the retinas of diabetic mice. _x000D_ In this study, we present three key findings: identification of GABAA receptors in blood vessels of mouse retinas, preventative effect of midazolam against hyperglycemia-induced vascular leakage in diabetic retinas, and the action mechanism of midazolam in endothelial cells. Thus, midazolam has a therapeutic potential for treating diabetic retinopathy and vascular leakage-associated diseases.

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