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

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