Diabetic Endothelium Dysfunction, Cardiovascular Complications, and Therapeutics

Diabetes affects the life quality of a number of people largely through the cardiovascular complications [1]. Vascular endothelial cells play a major role in maintaining vascular homeostasis [2]. Dysfunction of the vascular endothelium is a critical factor in the pathogenesis of diabetic micro- and macrovascular diseases [2, 3]. The fundamental mechanism contributing to vascular disease, nephropathy, retinopathy, and neuropathy has yet to translate into effective therapeutics [4]. Uncovering novel mechanism governing endothelium dysfunction, new concepts about biological pathways involved in diabetic tissue injury, and identification of new therapeutics are of significance [5]. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in diabetes are reduced and dysfunctional [6–8], suggesting EPC as a biomarker for diabetes and a prospective target for regenerative medicine [9].