Vascular adhesion protein-1 and microvascular diabetic complications

Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) is a bifunctional protein that has the ability to catalyze the deamination of primary amines and is involved in the production of hydrogen peroxide, aldehydes, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs). VAP-1 is usually stored in intracellular vesicles of endothelial cells, smooth muscles, and adipocytes. It is responsible for leukocyte transmigration and adhesion. Overexpression of VAP-1 exacerbates oxidative stress and modulates a variety of inflammatory mediators linked with diabetic complications. Numerous studies have suggested the association of increased insulin levels with serum VAP-1 (sVAP-1). Preclinical research evidence suggests the increased activity of sVAP-1 in type 1 and 2 diabetes. Scientific reports on VAP-1 inhibitors have shown a reduction in severity in diabetic animal models. VAP-1 is a potential target of a therapeutically effective line of treatment for diabetes and diabetic complications such as nephropathy and retinopathy. The primary focus of this review is the role of VAP-1 in diabetes and its associated microvascular complications.