[Contemporary view on the pathogenesis of diabetic macroangiopathy]

Patients with IDDM and NIDDM tend to develop signs of macrovascular disease. Increased plasma glucose levels, hyperlipidaemia, the endothelial cell changes and functional disturbances, abnormal hemostasis are responsible for the development of macrovascular disease. There is a number of explanations that link plasma glucose concentrations and macrovascular diabetic disease: direct toxic effects of glucose on cell function, toxic effects of glucose on cell function and structure through glycation products, oxidative stress and effects on endothelium. Elucidation of the pathophysiology of the diabetic macrovascular complications helps to develop the effective, and preventive treatment for macrovascular disease.