Microvascular and Endothelial Dysfunction in Prediabetes
Stamatina Lamprou,
Nikolaos Koletsos,
Gesthimani Mintziori,
Panagiota Anyfanti,
Christina Trakatelli,
Vasileios Kotsis,
Eugenia Gkaliagkousi,
Areti Triantafyllou
Affiliations
Stamatina Lamprou
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece
Nikolaos Koletsos
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece
Gesthimani Mintziori
Unit of Reproductive Endocrinology, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece
Panagiota Anyfanti
Second Medical Department, Hippokration Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
Christina Trakatelli
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece
Vasileios Kotsis
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece
Eugenia Gkaliagkousi
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece
Areti Triantafyllou
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 56429 Thessaloniki, Greece
Prediabetes is a significant metabolic status since there is high potential for future progression of diabetes mellitus (DM). People with prediabetes are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. Endothelial and microvascular dysfunction is considered a key step towards the development and progression of CVD. Importantly, endothelial and microvascular dysfunction can be detected and monitored using non-invasive procedures in peripheral organs and tissues, including the retina, kidney, skin and skeletal muscle. Structural and functional alterations of the microvasculature have been consistently documented in the above microvascular beds in patients with diabetes mellitus. In contrast, such alterations remain understudied in prediabetes, but are currently receiving attention as markers of subclinical and future CVD. The aim of this review is to summarize available evidence regarding the presence of subclinical microvascular and endothelial dysfunction in prediabetes and their impact on cardiovascular risk.
