Abstract:

Diabetes mellitus is not only an endocrine system disease, it is also a vascular disease which has microvascular and macrovascular complications. Endothelial dysfunction occurs due to an imbalance between endothelium-derived dilator and constrictor factors which has a role in the pathogenesis or progression of diabetes microvascular and macrovascular complications. These complications are named as “diabetic vasculopathy”. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor autacoid and also has proinflammatory, profibrotic, and proliferative properties which may contribute to diabetic vasculopathy. Endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cell mechanism are intended for therapeutic targets of diabetic vasculopathy. Clinical trials and experimental studies with ET-1 antagonists give a hope for diabetic vasculopaty treatments. This review focuses on the role of ET-1 in the pathogenesis of diabetes and insulin resistance and discusses the potential therapeutic benefit of targeting ET-1 receptor antagonists particularly in the prevention of diabetic complications.

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