Reactivity, recruitment and remodeling of collateral arteries in diabetes

Diabetes increases the risk of peripheral arterial diasease; the consequence of arteriosclerosis in the legs, and leads to reduced mobility and a higher risk of foot wounds and amputation. This dissertation describes arteriogenesis, a natural process in which small blood vessels (collatorals) become bigger to restore the blood flow. In an animal model we show that diabetes leads to disturbed arteriogenesis. In isolated vessels we show that diabetes makes vasodilatation more difficult. Administration of a vasodilatant medicine stimulated arteriogenesis in the leg of test animals. Administering this medication could be a safe and effective treatment strategy for diabetes patients with perepherous arterial disease.