THBD and endothelial dysfunction: Endothelial dysfunction induced by diabetes in peripheral circulation in db/db mice has been well documented [31–33] and involves (1) increased reactive oxygen species production, scavenging of endothelial NO, and increased nonenzymatic protein nitration [31, 32]; (2) decreased production of PGI2 and CD141 expression and impaired endothelial-dependent functional responses [31, 34–36].