Figure 4.

Inflammatory pathways that are currently used or may represent therapeutic targets to reduce vascular risk in diabetes. Current therapies and others in development focus on improving the endothelial cell function and reducing vascular inflammation. Established therapies to target endothelial dysfunction are angiotensin converting (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II-receptor blockers (ARBs), beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and glitazones, whereas agents such as phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) transcription enhancer, and microRNAs represent potential future therapies. Statins are widely used to reduce vascular risk and in addition to their cholesterol lowering effect they reduce vascular inflammation. Other potential targets to reduce vascular inflammation include of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitors as well as interleukin (IL)-1 antagonists and antioxidants.