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Endothelins in chronic diabetic complications
Zia Ali Khan1, Subrata Chakrabarti
1Department of Pathology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada.
Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
|July 4, 2003
Summary
Endothelins play a role in diabetic complications. Blocking endothelin receptors may help treat these chronic conditions in patients with diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology and Metabolism
- Vascular Biology
- Diabetology
Background:
- Endothelins are peptides with diverse physiological roles, including vascular and nonvascular functions.
- The endothelin system is implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic diabetic complications.
- Previous studies show endothelin system dysregulation in diabetic organ damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of endothelins in the development of chronic diabetic complications.
- To explore the potential of endothelin receptor antagonism as a therapeutic strategy.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental data and published literature on endothelins and diabetes.
- Analysis of studies using endothelin-receptor antagonists in animal models of diabetic complications.
- Examination of human studies on plasma endothelin levels in diabetes.
Main Results:
- Experimental evidence indicates endothelin system abnormalities in diabetic complications.
- Endothelin-receptor antagonists have shown efficacy in preventing structural and functional damage in animal models.
- Altered plasma endothelin levels are observed in human diabetes.
Conclusions:
- The endothelin system is a key player in the pathogenesis of chronic diabetic complications.
- Endothelin-receptor antagonism presents a promising adjuvant therapeutic approach for managing diabetic complications.