Role of adipose tissue in the development of vascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is considered one of the major metabolic diseases of the 21st century. Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of premature mortality and morbidity of T2D patients. The main mechanisms which could play a role in the pathogenesis of vascular complications are triggered by hyperglycaemia and hyperglycaemia-induced oxidative stress, however, during the past years a lot of attention has been paid to the potential role of adipose tissue in the development of vascular complications of diabetes. The several factors linking obesity with an increased cardiovascular risk have been identified. There is evidence that adipose tissue can be a source of proinflammatory cytokines, angiotensinogen and PAI-1 and other substances like leptin, resistin, adiponectin, visfatin, monocyte chemoattractant protein, retinal-binding protein-4. They could act directly by inducing inflammatory response; indirect effect is mediated through the development of insulin resistance. This review is focused on the role of several adipocytokines in the development of vascular complications of T2D. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.