Statins, diabetic oxidative stress, and vascular tissue

Basic and clinical science supports the role of oxidative stress pathways in linking hyperglycemia to diabetic vascular disease. 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 in both in vitro and in vivo settings. Finally, key clinical trials of statins impacting diabetic vascular disease will be reviewed.