[Arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus: role of endothelial dysfunction].
OBJECTIVE
The study reports on the functions among the endothelium, hypertension and diabetes.


OBJECTIVE
Recent studies demonstrate that the endothelium is no more considered as a passive structure simply placed to protect the vessel wall.


RESULTS
Recently it has been demonstrated that endothelium has some functions as a real organ and it is able to carry out a great number of complex functions by means of production of vasomotor substances with vasoconstrictor (endothelins--prostanoids--superoxide anion) or vasodilator (prostacyclins--kinines--NO) or inflammatory effects and haemostatic--thrombotic factors.


CONCLUSIONS
The endothelium plays a major role in the pathogenesis of hypertension and it is possible to discover distinctive peculiarities if this pathology is associated with type 1 or 2 diabetes.
Pettine
G A
GA
Ospedale Civile di Sondrio, Divisione di Medicina Generale, Italia.
D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000209:etiology*; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000209:etiology*; D004727:Endothelium / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology*
Ipertensione arteriosa e diabete mellito: ruolo della disfunzione endoteliale.