[Endothelin-1 and its role in diabetes mellitus]

Endothelin-1 is mainly synthesised by the vascular endothelial cells and acts on the vascular smooth muscle. There are special endothelin receptors, endothelin receptor-A and endothelin receptor-B expressed on the vascular smooth muscle cells. Endothelin-1 through second messengers mobilises the intracellular calcium storage. The level of endothein-1 was found to be higher than normal in several diseases. Because of its vasoconstrictor and mitogenic effects it plays a role in the development of vascular diseases. The most severe and most frequent complications of diabetes mellitus are micro- and macroangiopathy. The authors summarise the physiological functions of endothelin-1 and its role in the development of diabetic angiopathy.