Mitigation of Oxidative Stress Pathways in the Diabetic Cornea and Lacrimal Glands Contributes to the Rapid Reversal of Diabetic Dry Eye by Naltrexone

Blockade of the opioid growth factor (OGF)-OGF receptor system with topical NTX rapidly reversed diabetic dry eye and restored corneal surface sensitivity. The mechanism involved downregulating oxidative stress and decreasing proinflammatory cytokines to levels at or below those of nondiabetic rats of the same sex. These findings support a mechanistic role for OGF receptor blockade in the reversal of diabetic dry eye.