NOX1 and diabetes mellitus: High glucose levels directly impair endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation abilities by causing mitochondrial damage, showing a decreased number of mitochondrial autophagic vacuoles.[46] In addition to high glucose, oxidative stress also contributes to vascular impairments, as diabetes leads to elevated levels of NADPH oxidase 1 and 2 (NOX 1 and 2) in endothelial cells.