Diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy are serious complications of diabetes, but the mechanisms involved in the progression of these entities are unknown. In this Review, Nakagawa and colleagues discuss clinical and experimental evidence, especially data from mouse models of diabetes, supporting endothelial nitric oxide deficiency and endothelial dysfunction as key factors in the development of diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy. The effectiveness of agents that target the renin–angiotensin system as treatments for diabetic nephropathy is also discussed.
- Takahiko Nakagawa
- Katsuyuki Tanabe
- Qiuhong Li
