Title:Chronic Complications of Diabetes Mellitus: A Mini Review
Volume: 13
Issue: 1
Author(s): Mohamed Lotfy, Jennifer Adeghate, Huba Kalasz, Jaipaul Singh and Ernest Adeghate
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Diabetes mellitus, long-term complications, oxidative stress, advanced glycation-end products, hyperglycaemia,
angiopathy, neuropathy.
Abstract: Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major metabolic disorder currently affecting
over 350 million people worldwide. Also, another one billion people in the world are pre-diabetic,
who may eventually end up with full- blown diabetes. It costs around 1,200 billion USD to diagnose,
treat and care for both type 1 DM (T1DM) and type 2 DM (T2DM) patients globally. The disorder is
rapidly increasing out of proportion in both developed and developing countries, especially T2DM,
which is associated with modern lifestyle habits such as reduced physical activity, diet, obesity and
genetic factors. If left untreated, DM can lead to a number of diseases and long-term complications
leading subsequently to death.
Areas Covered: In this mini review, we aim to highlight a number of complications, cascades or
pathways (polyol, hexosamine, protein kinase C, advanced glycation-end product) of events and cellular,
sub-cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with DM-induced hyperglycaemia (HG).
Conclusion: Chronic complications of DM are caused largely by HG-induced cellular and molecular
impairment of neural and vascular structure and function. HG-induced oxidative stress is a major
contributor in the development of long-term complications of DM. DM-induced neuropathy and angiopathy,
in turn, may lead to the dysfunction of cells, tissues and organ systems.
