Metabolomics window into diabetic complications

Abstract

Diabetes has become a major global health problem. The elucidation of characteristic metabolic alterations during the diabetic progression is critical for better understanding its pathogenesis, and identifying potential biomarkers and drug targets. Metabolomics is a promising tool to reveal the metabolic changes and the underlying mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. The present review provides an update on the application of metabolomics in diabetic complications, including diabetic coronary artery disease, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy and diabetic neuropathy, and this review provides notes on the prevention and prediction of diabetic complications.

Keywords: Biomarker; Diabetic complications; Metabolomics.

Figure 1

Schematic diagram of the developmental process of diabetes. (a) Different stages of diabetes including the beginning, progression and outcome. Several mechanisms are involved including increased blood glucose, islet β‐cell dysfunction, insulin resistance and vascular diseases. (b) Different diabetic complications, including acute and chronic complications. Acute diabetic complications include hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome and diabetic lactic acidosis. Chronic diabetic complications include cerebral vascular disease, diabetic coronary artery disease, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, lower extremity vascular disease and diabetic foot disease.