Ruboxistaurin.

Ruboxistaurin is a potent and specific inhibitor of the beta isoform of protein kinase C. Overactivation of protein kinase C has been demonstrated in patients with type 2 diabetes, and is postulated to play a major role in the pathogenesis of diabetic microvascular complications, which include diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy. The role of protein kinase C in promoting tissue injury in patients with diabetes, and the pharmacologic and clinical studies illustrating the potential of ruboxistaurin to reduce the burden of diabetic microvascular complications will be discussed in this article.

Ruboxistaurin, a protein kinase C beta inhibitor, as an emerging treatment for diabetes microvascular complications.

OBJECTIVE: To review current clinical data regarding the pharmacologic actions of ruboxistaurin (LY333531) mesylate, an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC) beta, and its role to potentially reduce the development and/or the progression of diabetic microvascular complications. DATA SOURCES: Primary literature was obtained via a MEDLINE search (1966-August 2004) and through review of pertinent abstracts and presentations at major medical meetings. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Literature relevant to PKC physiology, the pharmacokinetics of ruboxistaurin, and data evaluating the use of ruboxistaurin in treating diabetic microvascular complications in human and relevant animal models was reviewed. DATA SYNTHESIS: PKC is part of a group of intracellular signaling molecules activated in response to various specific hormonal, neuronal, and growth factor stimuli. Hyperglycemia leads to PKC beta 1 and 2 isoform activation, which experimentally has been shown to contribute to the development and progression of diabetic microvascular complications (retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy) through various biochemical mechanisms. Animal and/or human studies using ruboxistaurin mesylate, a novel, highly selective inhibitor of PKC beta, have shown delay in the progression and, in some cases, reversal of diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: Ruboxistaurin mesylate, by inhibiting excessive activation of certain PKC isoforms, has the potential to reduce the burden of microvascular complications for patients with diabetes.