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Updated: May 16, 2026

Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial Function: A Technical Guideline of the Flow-mediated Dilation Test
Published on: April 27, 2016
Endothelial dysfunction in diabetes: potential application of circulating markers as advanced diagnostic and
Worku Abebe1, Mahmood Mozaffari
1Department of Oral Biology, CL 2140, School of Dentistry, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912-1128 USA.
Abstract:
Endothelial dysfunction is a predisposing factor for vascular disease in diabetes, which contributes significantly to the mortality of diabetic patients. The currently utilized assessment methods of endothelial function/dysfunction in humans are associated with various limitations. Circulating endothelial-derived/associated markers have been proposed as potential alternatives for evaluation of the endothelium in condition of vascular disorders. These indicators include von Willebrand factor, soluble thrombomodulin, soluble E-selectin, asymmetric dimethylarginine, tissue plasminogen activator, endothelial microparticles, circulating endothelial cells and circulating endothelial progenitor cells. While tentative evidence is available for most of these biomarkers to serve as reliable sources of information, their usefulness for routine clinical applications has not yet been established. Thus, circulating endothelial markers are currently the subject of intense research interest and it is anticipated that as more information becomes available their improved quantification will provide a suitable diagnostic and prognostic tool for vascular events in diabetes and related diseases.
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