Metabolic memory in diabetes mellitus

“Metabolic memory” is the name given to the situation of diabetic vascular stresses persisting after normalization of glucose values. The emergence of metabolic memory in diabetes mellitus emphasises the need for early aggressive treatment and normalization of glucose levels. The mechanism of the memory appears to be due to non enzymatic glycation of cellular proteins and lipids as well as due to an excess of cellular reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. These reactive species originate at the level of glycated mitochondrial proteins and may maintain stress signaling independant of glucose levels.