Proteomics as a tool to discover biomarkers for the prediction of diabetic complications

BACKGROUND: The incidence of diabetes is increasing rapidly, owing to unhealthy lifestyles. The human suffering and healthcare burden caused by diabetes are mainly a consequence of its microvascular and macrovascular complications. Late diagnosis and lack of strict metabolic control lead to increased morbidity and mortality. A problem is the insidious course of the complications, diagnosed in advanced stages, when end organ damage is already present. OBJECTIVE: Discovery of early markers of microangiopathy and macroangiopathy may help to identify patients at risk of organ damage. METHODS: This review focuses on recent developments in proteomics, performed on body fluids and different tissues implicated in microvascular and macrovascular complications. RESULTS: The results provide important information for the early detection of diabetic complications as well as for better understanding of their pathophysiology.