Statins, Diabetic Oxidative Stress and Vascular Tissue

This chapter summarizes the basic and clinical science supporting the role of oxidative stress pathways in linking hyperglycemia to diabetic vascular disease. In addition to exploring the etiology and consequences of various sources of oxidative stress in diabetes, this chapter will focus on hydroxymethyl-glutaryl coA reductase inhibitors (or 'statins') for their impact on oxidative stress in diabetes - especially in their effects independent of lowering plasma lipids. The interaction of statins on tissue oxidases and on nitric oxide synthase uncoupling will be considered. Finally, this chapter addresses the key clinical trials of statins that have been shown to influence the development or progression of diabetic vascular disease.