Vascular Calcification in Type 2 Diabetes: A Role for Allopurinol?

Abstract

Vascular calcification contributes significantly to the vascular damage burden in type 2 diabetes. Chronic hyperglycaemia is the driver of initiation and progression of vascular damage in these subjects. Enhanced oxidative stress is widespread in these subjects due to complex metabolic, cytokine, inflammatory and ageing factors, on the background of chronic hyperglycaemia. All these factors together contribute to an increased risk of vascular damage leading to atherosclerosis and vascular calcification. The xanthine oxidase system is a major contributor to the development of enhanced oxidative stress through generation of excessive free radicals. Current standard therapy is focused on controlling hyperglycaemia and screening/treatment of known co-morbidities. However, these therapies do not target oxidative stress. Allopurinol, a potent xanthine oxidase inhibitor has demonstrated beneficial effects on several parameters of vascular health such as reduction in oxidative stress, proteinuria, reversal of vascular damage, regression of ventricular hypertrophy and arresting the rate of progression of chronic kidney disease. A randomised clinical trial of Allopurinol for amelioration of oxidative stress, endothelial cell dysfunction and vascular calcification in subjects with type 2 DM may be helpful to explore its potential in this area.