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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
PubMed

Insights

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.

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