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Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Observational Ages 21 to 98

Exploring Liver X Receptor as a new target for treating Diabetic Retinopathy

Official title: LXR as a Novel Therapeutic Target in DR

Run by University of Alabama at Birmingham · NCT03403686 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing whether a new treatment that targets Liver X Receptors can help prevent diabetic retinopathy in people with diabetes.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Ages21 Years to 98 Years
SexAll
Enrollment104 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Birmingham, Alabama)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJanuary 11, 2018
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2026
Study endsDecember 31, 2026
Registry record updatedSeptember 28, 2026
Trial IDNCT03403686 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates include individuals aged 21-98 with a diagnosis of diabetes or healthy aged controls.

Probably not a fit

Patients with ongoing infections, malignancies, or severe renal impairment may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates the role of Liver X Receptors (LXR) in preventing diabetic retinopathy (DR), a common complication of diabetes. It aims to understand how LXR activation can restore cholesterol balance in the retina and improve the function of reparative cells in the bone marrow. By analyzing blood samples from participants, the study seeks to uncover the mechanisms behind the beneficial effects of LXR agonists observed in rodent models. The ultimate goal is to identify novel therapeutic strategies for managing DR in diabetic patients.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that effectively prevent or reverse diabetic retinopathy in patients with diabetes.

How similar studies have gone: While this approach is based on promising results from rodent models, it is still novel and untested in human subjects.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

* Any man or woman between the ages of 21- 98 years of age will be eligible to participate. To participate in the study as a study subject we will require: a) the subject must either carry the diagnosis of diabetes or be a healthy aged control and b) the patient be willing and have the ability to cooperate with the protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Exclusion criteria: We will apply the following exclusion criteria: a) evidence of ongoing acute or chronic infection (HIV, Hepatitis B or C, tuberculosis); b) ongoing malignancy; c) cerebral vascular accident or cerebral vascular procedure; d) current pregnancy; e) history of organ transplantation; f) presence of a graft (to avoid any effect of the graft on inflammatory parameters; g) uremic symptoms, an estimated glomerular filtration rate of less than 20 cc/min (by Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation), or an albumin of less than 3.6 (to avoid malnutrition as a confounding variable); h) be unwilling to abstain from drinking alcohol and i) patients with anemia. Subjects with AMD, glaucoma, uveitis, known hereditary degenerations or other significant ocular complications other than diabetic retinopathy will be excluded.

Where it's running

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham
    Birmingham, Alabama, United States     Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Maria B Grant, MD — University of Alabama at Birmingham
  • Study coordinator: Maria B Grant, MD
  • Email: jmoorer@uabmc.edu
  • Phone: 3528714314

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
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Diabetic Retinopathy 156University of Alabama at Birmingham 1432
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.