Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is triggered by retinal cell damage stimulated by the diabetic
milieu, including increased levels of intraocular free fatty acids. Free fatty acids may serve as
an initiator of inflammatory cytokine release from Müller cells, and the resulting cytokines are
potent stimulators of retinal endothelial pathology, such as leukostasis, vascular
permeability, and basement membrane thickening. Our previous studies have elucidated a
role for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/δ (PPARβ/δ) in promoting several steps …