Vascular function in Type 2 diabetes mellitus and pre-diabetes: the case for intrinsic endotheliopathy

Diabetic angiopathy is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Type 2 d iabetes mellitus (DM). The pathogenesis of vascular complications in this c ondition appears to be complex, with distinct differences being observed be tween Type 1 and Type 2 DM. This review outlines the evidence for these dif ferences and identifies endothelial dysfunction as an important associate a nd antecedent of Type 2DM, which predisposes to characteristic vascular com plications and may also have implications for fetal development.