Proteomics as a tool to discover biomarkers for the prediction of diabetic complications.

BACKGROUND

The incidence of diabetes is increasing rapidly, owing to unhealthy lifestyles. The human suffering and healthcare burden caused by diabetes are mainly a consequence of its microvascular and macrovascular complications. Late diagnosis and lack of strict metabolic control lead to increased morbidity and mortality. A problem is the insidious course of the complications, diagnosed in advanced stages, when end organ damage is already present.

OBJECTIVE

Discovery of early markers of microangiopathy and macroangiopathy may help to identify patients at risk of organ damage.

METHODS

This review focuses on recent developments in proteomics, performed on body fluids and different tissues implicated in microvascular and macrovascular complications.

RESULTS

The results provide important information for the early detection of diabetic complications as well as for better understanding of their pathophysiology.