Abstract

 VASCULAR DISEASE IN DIABETES

 SODIUM/HYDROGEN EXCHANGER: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND REGULATION

 BIOCHEMICAL ABNORMALITIES OF DIABETES AND NHE IN VASCULAR SMOOTH MUSCL

 CONCLUSIONS

 References
 
 
 

Discussion
Board 

 All forms of diabetes occur with vascular disease as a major component of the chronic phase or 'complications'. Recent developments in the understanding of vascular pathology indicate the involvement of a complex interplay between the vascular cells and cells derived from the blood and perivascular compartments. In the vessel wall both endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells are involved in physiological and pathophysiological vascular perturbations. Relevant cellular functions in the remodeling and atherosclerotic processes include proliferation, apoptosis and migration. Secretory functions including the regulation of extracellular matrix and vasoactive substances are also important. These cellular functions are potentially regulated by the metabolic milieu of diabetes, particularly the hyperglycemia. Our focus is on the sodium hydrogen exchanger (NHE) which has been implicated in a number of the above cellular functions and responses. NHE may play a role either directly or as a consequence of involvement in regulation of the ionic environment, particularly, the control of intracellular pH. In cell culture systems elevated glucose activates NHE and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle but limited data confirmed by our recent results indicate that it inhibits both of these properties in endothelial cells. This article is concerned with the mechanisms by which the biochemical abnormalities of diabetes exert their pathological effects on vascular cells in particular via altering sodium hydrogen exchange activity. 

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Presentation Number SAhannan0878
Keywords: hyperglycemia, endothelial cells, migration, smooth muscle, proliferation