Why do people with diabetes grow blood vessels more slowly?

Anti-angiogenic VEGF isoform expression in peripheral arterial disease in type 2 diabetes

Vascular disease, where blood vessels become blocked, is common in people with type 2 diabetes as they get older. Since it blocks the flow of oxygen to the limbs, it can cause painful legs, inability to walk or even lead to amputation. Scientists believe diabetes stops new blood vessels growing around the blockage, but do not know why. One theory is that white blood cells behave differently in diabetes by producing more of a protein called VEGF-Ab, which prevents blood vessels growing, rather than the VEGF-Aa form that promotes blood vessel growth. Professor David Bates and colleagues have been awarded a grant to find out if people with diabetes and vascular disease have more VEGF-Ab. They will find out if stopping VEGF-Ab working or being made, in mice with diabetic vascular disease allows blood vessels to regrow. Understanding why this happens may reveal a new way to prevent vessel blockage or promote blood vessel growth, and restore blood flow to the tissues.