Researchers report that the expression of plasmid of plasminogen kringle 5 (K5) which is a natural angiogenic inhibitor, using nanotechnology can halt retinal neovascularization and retinal vascular leakage in diabetic retinopathy. This report was published online in the journal Diabetes.

K5 nanoparticles (K5-NP) were created and used to induce expression of K5 in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes; the possible side effects of the nanoparticles were measured as well. The researchers found that the levels of K5 were effectively mediated by the K5-NP and specifically inhibited the development of endothelial cells. Injection of the K5-NP significantly reduced the retinal vascular leakage and retinal neovascularization in the diabetic rats. No toxicities were noted during this study.

More details about K5 are needed but this offers another avenue for study and hope for the patients with diabetes and those clinicians that treat the condition.

Read the abstract and full-text article here ^[1](login required) in Diabetes: A Journal of the American Diabetes Association.