Diabetes and atherosclerosis: is there a role for hyperglycemia?

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is accelerated in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The hallmark of diabetes is the presence of hyperglycemia. In this article, we review the role of glucose in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Evidence obtained from epidemiological, in vitro, and animal studies will be reviewed in an attempt to understand the complex relationship between hyperglycemia and cardiovascular risk that is emerging from clinical trials.