Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common type of diabetic microvascular complications.Its pathogenesis has not been clarified yet.Sodium-glucose cotransporter (SGLT) is a family of transmembrane proteins that regulate glucose transport.Previous studies have found the expression of its family members SGLT1 and SGLT2 in the retina, suggesting SGLT have a potential impact on the occurrence of DR.The abnormal sodium-dependent glucose uptake of retinal pericytes mediated by SGLT2 may be involved in the early microangiopathy process of DR, while SGLT inhibitors can weaken the morphological and functional impairment of retinal cells caused by hyperglycemia and therefore potentially manage DR.A recent study has found that the polymorphism of the SLC5A2 gene encoding SGLT2 is associated with the risk of DR occurrence.SGLT2 inhibitors are currently used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and have been found to help prevent secondary cardiovascular and renal diseases.However, there are few studies on the efficacy of SGLT2 inhibitors in DR.Current research results suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors have a protective effect on DR, which may be achieved through mechanisms such as controlling DR-related risk factors, protecting the retinal microvascular system and alleviating nerve-related retinopathy.This review summarizes the effects of SGLT on the pathogenesis of DR, the latest research progress of SGLT2 inhibitors studies on prevention and treatment of DR as well as possible protective mechanisms.

Sodium-glucose transport proteins; Diabetic retinopathy; Sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibitors