New Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches in Diabetic Microvascular Complications, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Endocrinology and Metabolism Research".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 4783

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: diabetic retinopathy; glaucoma; age related macular degeneration; optic neuropathies; inflammatory biomarkers
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E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Medicine, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: laparoscopic surgery; inflammatory biomarkers; emergency surgery; colorectal cancer; diabetic foot
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Diabetes mellitus is a major health problem globally, with an ascendant trend expected to reach up to 700 million cases by 2045. The microvascular triad includes diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy, unique in diabetes. Despite significant achievements in early diagnosis and therapy, diabetic retinopathy remains the leading cause of blindness in the working-age population, with a severe impact on patients' quality of life. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy affects nearly 50% of adults with diabetes during their lifetime, and it represents a major risk factor for diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), the most common cause of non-traumatic amputations worldwide. Classically, the duration of diabetes, level of hyperglycemia, arterial hypertension, and dyslipidemia are the most incriminated risk factors. Novel research has found multiple molecular pathways that may interfere with vascular dysfunction, ischemia, and tissular damage.

In this Special Issue, we welcome original articles and reviews providing new research data on diabetic microvascular complications: novel biomarkers, early diagnosis, pathology, molecular mechanisms, and new therapies in diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, and diabetic foot ulcers.

Dr. Ana Dascalu
Prof. Dr. Dragos Serban
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • diabetic retinopathy
  • diabetic foot ulcer
  • inflammatory biomarkers
  • microbiota
  • novel therapies

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 1787 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Vascular Density Changes After Cataract Surgery in Diabetic Patients with and Without Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
by Lelde Svjascenkova, Arturs Zemitis, Janis Gredzens and Guna Laganovska
Biomedicines 2025, 13(4), 908; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13040908 - 8 Apr 2025
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Abstract
Background: This study aims to evaluate changes in the central retina in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) undergoing uncomplicated small incision cataract surgery with or without pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEXS) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods: In this prospective, longitudinal study, [...] Read more.
Background: This study aims to evaluate changes in the central retina in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) undergoing uncomplicated small incision cataract surgery with or without pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEXS) using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods: In this prospective, longitudinal study, 67 T2DM patients underwent cataract surgery. Twelve of them had PEXS. All parameters were measured at two time points. Macular 3 × 3 mm and 6 × 6 mm OCTA images were obtained. All data were analyzed using R statistical software (version 4.4.1). Results: Parafoveal vascular density (VD) in the superior capillary plexus and the deep capillary plexus increased in the non-PEX group. There was an increase in VD in perifoveal vascular density in the deep capillary plexus in both groups. Three months after cataract surgery, changes in perifoveal vascular density in the deep capillary plexus increased in both groups and were significant. Conclusion: Perifoveal vascular density in the deep capillary plexus showed a significant increase in VD, regardless of the presence of PEXS. Parafoveal VD in the deep and superficial capillary plexuses appeared to be sensitive primarily in non-PEXS patients, with a notable increase observed in these areas three months after surgery. Full article
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Review

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17 pages, 1564 KiB  
Review
Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Pathophysiology, Immune Dysregulation, and Emerging Therapeutic Strategies
by John Dawi, Kevin Tumanyan, Kirakos Tomas, Yura Misakyan, Areg Gargaloyan, Edgar Gonzalez, Mary Hammi, Serly Tomas and Vishwanath Venketaraman
Biomedicines 2025, 13(5), 1076; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13051076 - 29 Apr 2025
Abstract
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are among the most common and debilitating complications of diabetes mellitus (DM), affecting approximately 15–25% of patients and contributing to over 85% of non-traumatic amputations. DFUs impose a substantial clinical and economic burden due to high recurrence rates, prolonged [...] Read more.
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are among the most common and debilitating complications of diabetes mellitus (DM), affecting approximately 15–25% of patients and contributing to over 85% of non-traumatic amputations. DFUs impose a substantial clinical and economic burden due to high recurrence rates, prolonged wound care, and frequent hospitalizations, accounting for billions in healthcare costs worldwide. The multifactorial pathophysiology of DFUs involves peripheral neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, chronic inflammation, and impaired tissue regeneration. Recent studies underscore the importance of immune dysregulation—specifically macrophage polarization imbalance, regulatory T cell dysfunction, and neutrophil impairment—as central mechanisms in wound chronicity. These immune disruptions sustain a pro-inflammatory environment dominated by cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, which impair angiogenesis and delay repair. This review provides an updated synthesis of DFU pathogenesis, emphasizing immune dysfunction and its therapeutic implications. We examine emerging strategies in immunomodulation, regenerative medicine, and AI-based wound technologies, including SGLT2 inhibitors, biologics, stem cell therapies, and smart dressing systems. These approaches hold promise for accelerating healing, reducing amputation risk, and personalizing future DFU care. Full article
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25 pages, 1237 KiB  
Review
Management of Microcomplications of Diabetes Mellitus: Challenges, Current Trends, and Future Perspectives in Treatment
by Hande Yapislar and Esra Bihter Gurler
Biomedicines 2024, 12(9), 1958; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12091958 - 28 Aug 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4229
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels, which can lead to severe health issues if not managed effectively. Recent statistics indicate a significant global impact, with 463 million adults diagnosed worldwide and this projected to rise to [...] Read more.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels, which can lead to severe health issues if not managed effectively. Recent statistics indicate a significant global impact, with 463 million adults diagnosed worldwide and this projected to rise to 700 million by 2045. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks pancreatic beta cells, reducing insulin production. Type 2 diabetes is primarily due to insulin resistance. Both types of diabetes are linked to severe microvascular and macrovascular complications if unmanaged. Microvascular complications, such as diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy, result from damage to small blood vessels and can lead to organ and tissue dysfunction. Chronic hyperglycemia plays a central role in the onset of these complications, with prolonged high blood sugar levels causing extensive vascular damage. The emerging treatments and current research focus on various aspects, from insulin resistance to the intricate cellular damage induced by glucose toxicity. Understanding and intervening in these pathways are critical for developing effective treatments and managing diabetes long term. Furthermore, ongoing health initiatives, such as increasing awareness, encouraging early detection, and improving treatments, are in place to manage diabetes globally and mitigate its impact on health and society. These initiatives are a testament to the collective effort to combat this global health challenge. Full article
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