Pathology of DM Complications

Question 1

What are the main mechanisms and pathological complications of DM?

Answer 1

Increased blood glucose levels can lead to the following complications:

Macrovascular disease

• Atherosclerosis caused by glucose binding to LDL and keeping it in the blood stream.

Microvascular disease

• The space between endothelial cells and basal lamina collects molecules in DM
• Once in this space, the molecules find it hard to move out
• The build up of molecules in the basal lamina leads to the narrowing of the vessel lumen and leads to issues with blood supply in the peripheral tissues (diabetic foot and eye problems)
• Glycosylation = Albumin + glycosylated collagen