Associations Among Microvascular Dysfunction, Fatty Acid Metabolism, and Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels resulting from impaired insulin secretion or insulin resistance. Diabetes poses a major global health concern, because of its increasing prevalence and substantial morbidity and mortality. This review explores the relationships between altered fatty acid metabolism and microcirculatory impairments in diabetes. Dysregulation of fatty acid metabolism in diabetes leads to changes in fatty acid profiles, abnormal lipid accumulation, and increased oxidative stress. These changes contribute to microvascular dysfunction through mechanisms such as endothelial dysfunction, impaired nitric oxide availability, inflammation, and oxidative damage. Understanding this intricate interplay is essential for identifying novel therapeutic strategies to alleviate vascular complications in diabetes. By targeting specific pathways involved in fatty acid metabolism and microvascular dysfunction, interventions can be developed to improve patient outcomes. This review is aimed at contributing to future research and the development of effective strategies for preventing and managing diabetes-associated microcirculatory impairments, to ultimately enhance the quality of life for people living with diabetes.