title: Adrenomedullin and diabetes.
abstract: Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a peptide hormone widely expressed in different tissues, especially in the vasculature. Apart from its vasodilatatory and hypotensive effect, it plays multiple roles in the regulation of hormonal secretion, glucose metabolism and inflammatory response. ADM regulates insulin balance and may participate in the development of diabetes. The plasma level of ADM is increased in people with diabetes, while in healthy individuals the plasma ADM concentration remains low. Plasma ADM levels are further increased in patients with diabetic complications. In type 1 diabetes, plasma ADM level is correlated with renal failure and retinopathy, while in type 2 diabetes its level is linked with a wider range of complications. The elevation of ADM level in diabetes may be due to hyperinsulinemia, oxidative stress and endothelial injury. At the same time, a rise in plasma ADM level can trigger the onset of diabetes. Strategies to reduce ADM level should be explored so as to reduce diabetic complications.
authors.affiliation: Hoi Kin Wong, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Hoi Kin
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Hoi Kin Wong, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Fai
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Hoi Kin Wong, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Tsang Tommy
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.affiliation: Hoi Kin Wong, Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Bernard Man Yung
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Cheung
keywords: Adrenomedullin; Diabetes; Diabetic complications; Hyperglycemia; Therapeutics