Published online Jun 15, 2014. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v5.i3.364
Revised: April 10, 2014
Accepted: May 8, 2014
Published online: June 15, 2014
Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a peptide hormone widely expressed in different tissues, especially in the vasculature. Apart from its vasodilatatory and hypotensive effect, it plays multiple roles in the regulation of hormonal secretion, glucose metabolism and inflammatory response. ADM regulates insulin balance and may participate in the development of diabetes. The plasma level of ADM is increased in people with diabetes, while in healthy individuals the plasma ADM concentration remains low. Plasma ADM levels are further increased in patients with diabetic complications. In type 1 diabetes, plasma ADM level is correlated with renal failure and retinopathy, while in type 2 diabetes its level is linked with a wider range of complications. The elevation of ADM level in diabetes may be due to hyperinsulinemia, oxidative stress and endothelial injury. At the same time, a rise in plasma ADM level can trigger the onset of diabetes. Strategies to reduce ADM level should be explored so as to reduce diabetic complications.
Core tip: Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a peptide hormone with vasorelaxing and hypotensive properties. It also plays multiple roles in the regulation of hormonal secretion, glucose metabolism and inflammatory response. A major observation is the elevation of plasma ADM level in diabetes, and is associated with diabetic complications in both type 1 and 2 diabetes. The increase could be resulted from oxidative stress, hyperinsulinemia and endothelial injury. This raises the potential application of ADM as a marker in diabetes, and strategies aimed at reducing ADM level could be explored so as to alleviate diabetic complications.