Diabetes Augmentation on Vascular Disease

It is widely recognized that cardiovascular disease is the major morbidity associated with type 2 diabetes. Although the mechanisms contributing to this increased morbidity are poorly understood, it is clear that this is attributable in part to the worsening of the risk factors that contribute to the enhancement of the vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis that contribute to coronary artery disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. This includes obesity, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress and inflammation.

Recent studies in humans and experimental animal models highlight inflammation as a critical element of atherosclerosis and its consequent impact on cardiovascular disease. Inflammation will be a theme that underlies many of the interactions between diabetes and cardiovascular disease reviewed in this Research Topic.

This review series will also address clinical correlations between diabetes and clinical cardiovascular disease and attempts to reduce the risk, the effect of diabetes on macrophages and the production of monocyte/macrophages to promotes atherosclerosis, autoimmunity in diabetes and the effect of diabetes on the heart and kidneys contributing to cardiovascular disease. Moreover, each article will emphasize how these risk factor in diabetes augment cardiovascular disease and focus on future issues to be addressed.