Unsaturated fats and progression of diabetic retinopathy
Abstract
Two groups of adult-onset diabetics, matched according to 10 different criteria, were followed, biochemically and fluorescein-angiographically, over a period of 6 years. One group used a saturated-fat diet, and the other group of patients were on an unsaturated-fat diet, particularly rich in linoleic acid. Statistically significant differences were found in biochemical data and in the progression of diabetic microangiopathy between the two groups. The conclusion is warranted that a linoleic acid-rich diet, administered over an extended period of time, may inhibit the development of microangiopathy, or the deterioration of diabetic retinopathy.
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The primary outcome in the study by Houtsmuller et al. (33) was diabetic microangiopathy or retinopathy, not CVD.
“Second, the primary outcome in the study by Houtsmuller et al. (33) was diabetic microangiopathy or retinopathy, not CVD.”
From Saturated Fat Restriction for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (2025) · cites this paper as [33]
Hooper et al. included several studies that were not eligible for inclusion in our analysis.
“Although the authors described the literature search strategy, they included several studies that were not eligible for inclusion in our analysis (Table 2) (32), (33), (34), (35), (36), (37), (38).”
From Saturated Fat Restriction for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (2025) · cites this paper as [33]
Other reports in the analysis by Houtsmuller et al. (34), (35) have reported cardiovascular outcomes.
“Although other reports in the analysis by Houtsmuller et al.(34), (35) have reported cardiovascular outcomes, the definition or criteria for cardiac ischemia were not provided.”
From Saturated Fat Restriction for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (2025) · cites this paper as [35]
The definition or criteria for cardiac ischemia were not provided in Houtsmuller et al. (34), (35).
“Although other reports in the analysis by Houtsmuller et al.(34), (35) have reported cardiovascular outcomes, the definition or criteria for cardiac ischemia were not provided.”
From Saturated Fat Restriction for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials (2025) · cites this paper as [35]
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- Authors
- Houtsmuller, A. J., Zahn, K. J., & Henkes, H. E.
- Affiliations
- Rotterdam Eye Hospital (NL)
- Venue
- Documenta Ophthalmologica
- Published
- 1980-04
- Volume
- 48
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 363-371
- ISSN
- 0012-4486 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-2622
- OpenAlex
- W2005214610
- Cited by
- 44
- References
- 7
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 1.66
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Documenta Ophthalmologica (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Ophthalmology › Retinal Diseases and Treatments
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Aldose Reductase and Taurine
- Keywords
- diabetic retinopathy, unsaturated fat, linoleic acid, dietary saturated fat, dietary fat, diabetic microangiopathy, disease progression, fluorescein angiography, type 2 diabetes
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Blood Glucose, Cholesterol, Diabetic Angiopathies, Diabetic Retinopathy, Diet, Dietary Fats, Fats, Unsaturated, Female, Fluorescein Angiography, Glucose Tolerance Test, Humans, Insulin, Linoleic Acids, Male, Prospective Studies
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