Wu R, et al. - In this investigation involving 295 participants, researchers sought to elucidate the role of VEGF, apelin, and HO-1 in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), to provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR). From December 1, 2018, to November 30, 2019, T2DM patients who were treated in the hospital were involved. T2DM individuals were divided into non-DR group, non-proliferative DR group, and proliferative DR (PDR) group and healthy candidates were selected as the control group. According to findings, the progression of DR is linked to VEGF, apelin, and HO-1, and the combined use of VEGF, apelin, and HO-1 is useful for the diagnosis and treatment of PDR.