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World J Diabetes. Apr 15, 2026; 17(4): 116208
Published online Apr 15, 2026. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v17.i4.116208
Published online Apr 15, 2026. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v17.i4.116208
Targeting sirtuins in diabetic retinopathy: Differential roles in inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction
Chen-Chen Pan, Yu-Jie Ma, Tian-Ye Ding, School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, Zhejiang Province, China
Chen-Chen Pan, Yu-Jie Ma, Tian-Ye Ding, Fu-Yuan Zhuge, Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, Zhejiang Province, China
Qi-Qi Xie, School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, Zhejiang Province, China
Peng-Yu Lu, First Department of Orthopedics, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan Province, China
Zhen Shi, Hao-Yu Li, Second Department of Orthopedics, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan Province, China
Mei-Qi Zeng, Department of Ophthalmology, The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People’s Hospital, Quzhou 324000, Zhejiang Province, China
Cheng Luo, Department of Endocrinology, The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People’s Hospital, Quzhou 324000, Zhejiang Province, China
Co-first authors: Chen-Chen Pan and Qi-Qi Xie.
Author contributions: Pan CC and Xie QQ conceptualized and designed the study; Ma YJ, Ding TY, and Lu PY conducted the literature search, analyzed key references, and drafted the initial manuscript; Shi Z and Li HY contributed to data extraction, evidence synthesis, and critical interpretation of mechanistic studies; Zeng MQ and Luo C prepared the figures and graphical illustrations and assisted in manuscript organization; Zhuge FY provided overall supervision, critically reviewed the manuscript for intellectual content, and secured funding and administrative support; Pan CC and Xie QQ contributed equally to the development and writing of this review and are therefore recognized as co-first authors; all authors approved the final version of the manuscript for publication.
Supported by Quzhou Science and Technology Program Project, No. 2022K69 and No. 2025K049; Henan Province Medical Science and Technology Research Program (Joint Construction), No. LHGJ20250403, No. LHGJ20220566, and No. LHGJ20240365; Henan Provincial Key Research and Development Program, No. 231111311000; and Henan Province Medical Education Research Project, No. WJLX2023079.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Fu-Yuan Zhuge, MD, Chief Physician, Professor, Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shaoxing University, No. 568 Zhongxing North Road, Yuecheng District, Shaoxing 312000, Zhejiang Province, China. windee2002@163.com
Received: November 5, 2025
Revised: December 30, 2025
Accepted: March 11, 2026
Published online: April 15, 2026
Processing time: 160 Days and 10 Hours
Revised: December 30, 2025
Accepted: March 11, 2026
Published online: April 15, 2026
Processing time: 160 Days and 10 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: This review summarizes the emerging roles of sirtuins (SIRT1-SIRT7) in diabetic retinopathy, emphasizing their regulatory functions in inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. By integrating evidence from molecular, cellular, and pharmacological studies, it highlights how selective activation of SIRT1 and SIRT3 restores retinal homeostasis. The review also outlines therapeutic advances in natural and small-molecule SIRT activators, providing a translational framework for multi-target interventions in diabetic retinopathy.