Combined thermal and mild electrical stimulations modulate heat shock protein and VEGF in retinal pigment epithelial cells under high glucose

Combined thermal stimulation and MES significantly increased HSP70 expression in both the control and HG + DFX model groups, while suppressing VEGF and inflammatory cytokine levels in HG + DFX model. The combined treatment also showed a protective effect on the blood-retinal barrier integrity, although transient, as measured by TEER. These findings suggest that combined thermal stimulation and MES represent a promising therapeutic approach for managing DME, by modulating HSP and VEGF expression and potentially reducing inflammation and promoting protective mechanisms in the retina.