Vascular dysfunction in Type 2 diabetes: emerging targets for therapy

Vascular dysfunction associated with Type 2 diabetes is initially manifested in the prediabetic condition and continuously expressed as this complex disease progresses to include other cardiovascular complications that collectively increase patient risk of morbidity and mortality. Many factors are known to affect vascular function and this editorial focuses on the role of adipokines and obesity in this process. Growing evidence suggests that adipose-derived adipokines, such as cytokines, chemokines and hormones, play a significant role in the regulation of vascular function. Inhibition of vascular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and lowering plasma free fatty acid levels are all potential therapeutic targets for Type 2 diabetes-induced vascular dysfunction. Bariatric surgery is a relatively newer and more aggressive treatment for the morbidly obese patient, which also results in an instant, and obvious, improvement in vascular function through as yet unexplained mechanisms. These therapies demonstrate great promise for the prevention and cure of diabetes-induced vascular dysfunction.