Role of protein kinase C inhibition in the development of diabetic microvascular complications

Diabetes mellitus affects millions of people in the USA and throughout the world. The global epidemic may be attributed to both the increasing age of the population and the increasing rates of obesity. Diabetes is associated with chronic microvascular (diabetic neuropathy, retinopathy and nephropathy) and macrovascular complications (heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease). Patients with diabetes benefit from a comprehensive approach to prevent complications, including weight loss, smoking cessation, antiplatelet agents, and glycemic and blood pressure control. However, all of these are difficult for patients to achieve and maintain on a daily basis and there is still a risk of developing vascular complications. Specific therapies for diabetic complications targeting molecules that are activated by hyperglycemia are emerging. The aim of this review is to highlight the role of protein kinase Cβ in the development of diabetic microvascular complications while briefly describing clinical experience with the protein kinase Cβ inhibitor ruboxistaurin.