Mechanisms by which diabetes increases cardiovascular disease

Diabetes mellitus is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease which is the leading cause of death in the United States. Increasing prevalence of diabetes and diabetic atherosclerosis makes identification of molecular mechanisms by which diabetes promotes atherogenesis an important task. Targeting common pathways may ameliorate both diseases. This review focuses on well-known as well as newly discovered mechanisms which may represent promising therapeutic targets.

Section editor:Joel Linden – Department of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA