[Pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in diabetes mellitus. The role of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia].

The review summarizes data about interconnection between atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus. Special attention is paid to their joint developmental factors such as hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance. It is shown that hyperinsulinemia may form an independent risk factor. At the same time both factors can lead (during both diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis) to changes in lipid metabolism and development of atheroms. Mechanisms of the development of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia are analyzed. The so-called syndrome X is described in detail. It is characterized by a triad of changes: insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, changes in lipid metabolism and hypertension. Some methods of treatment of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia during atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus are described.