Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common endocrine disorderwhichcharacterized by high blood sugar levels over prolonged periods.
Although the precise mechanisms through which diabetes increases the likelihood of atherosclerotic plaque formation are not completely defined, the association between the two is profound.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) remains the principal cause of death and disability among patients with diabetes mellitus, especially in those with type 2 diabetes mellitus in whom it typically occurs 14.6 years earlier, with greater severity, and with more diffuse distribution than in individuals without diabetes mellitus.
Furthermore, about two-thirds of deaths in people with diabetes mellitus are attributable to cardiovascular disease: of these, ≈40% are from ischemic heart disease, 15% from other forms of heart disease, principally congestive heart failure, and ≈10% from stroke.
Intensive treatment of multiple cardiovascular risk factors can have a major impact among patients with diabetes. Reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin values, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and urinary albumin excretion rate all have their value in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Adipocytes produce and secrete a variety of bioactive peptides, termed adipokines, which influence body weight, insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism and vascular function. Adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (AFABP), also known as fatty acid binding protein-4 and aP2, has recently been suggested as a third adipokine, in addition to leptin and adiponectin, that is preferentially produced in and released from adipocytes.