title: Diabetes mellitus and vascular lesions.
abstract: Cardiovascular complications represent by far the most severe manifestations of diabetes mellitus. Treatment aimed at stopping progression of vascular lesions may fall short if initiated when the disease becomes clinically evident. Therefore, identification of the earliest vascular disfunctions may offer the best opportunity to interfere with pathogenic mechanisms and avoid progression of diabetic vasculopathy. In this report, we present a few mechanisms that alter hemodynamic and metabolic homeostasis in the course of diabetes mellitus. Endothelial function with special emphasis on nitric oxide and oxidative stress, advanced glycation end products, and the renin angiotensin system are briefly discussed. New pharmacological agents that may favorably influence these parameters are presently undergoing clinical trials. However, tight control of plasma glucose and cardiovascular risk factors represent the cornerstone of the treatment in diabetes to slow progression of vascular disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hypertension and Vascular Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hayoz
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ziegler
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Brunner
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ruiz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide