Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026

Production and Detection of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in Cancers
Published on: November 21, 2011
Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in pathogenesis of vascular complications of diabetes
1Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Korea.
Abstract:
Macrovascular and microvascular diseases are currently the principal causes of morbidity and mortality in subjects with diabetes. Disorders of the physiological signaling functions of reactive oxygen species (superoxide and hydrogen peroxide) and reactive nitrogen species (nitric oxide and peroxynitrite) are important features of diabetes. In the absence of an appropriate compensation by the endogenous antioxidant defense network, increased oxidative stress leads to the activation of stress-sensitive intracellular signaling pathways and the formation of gene products that cause cellular damage and contribute to the vascular complications of diabetes. It has recently been suggested that diabetic subjects with vascular complications may have a defective cellular antioxidant response against the oxidative stress generated by hyperglycemia. This raises the concept that antioxidant therapy may be of great benefit to these subjects. Although our understanding of how hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress ultimately leads to tissue damage has advanced considerably in recent years, effective therapeutic strategies to prevent or delay the development of this damage remain limited. Thus, further investigation of therapeutic interventions to prevent or delay the progression of diabetic vascular complications is needed.
Insights
Diabetes leads to vascular complications due to oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant defenses. Antioxidant therapy may benefit patients by mitigating hyperglycemia-induced cellular damage and preventing disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Diabetology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus is a leading cause of macrovascular and microvascular diseases.
- Oxidative stress, stemming from dysregulated reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, is a key feature of diabetes.
- This oxidative stress contributes significantly to the vascular complications observed in diabetic patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense mechanisms in diabetic vascular complications.
- To explore the potential of antioxidant therapy as a treatment strategy for diabetes-related vascular damage.
Main Methods:
- Review of current understanding of hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress pathways.
- Analysis of the endogenous antioxidant defense network's response in diabetic subjects.
- Evaluation of existing and potential therapeutic interventions.
Main Results:
- Increased oxidative stress in diabetes activates detrimental intracellular signaling pathways.
- Diabetic subjects with vascular complications may exhibit a defective cellular antioxidant response.
- Current therapeutic strategies for diabetic vascular damage remain limited.
Conclusions:
- Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress plays a critical role in diabetic vascular complications.
- Targeting antioxidant defense mechanisms holds promise for therapeutic intervention.
- Further research is essential to develop effective strategies to prevent or delay diabetic vascular disease progression.
Related Concept Videos
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic Neuropathy
Complications of Diabetes Mellitus
Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
Diabetic Nephropathy
Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology

