['Although the connection of oxidative stress and inflammation has been long recognized in diabetes mellitus, the underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. This study defined the role of 26S proteasomes in promoting vascular inflammatory response in early diabetes mellitus.', 'The 26S proteasome functionality, markers of autophagy, and unfolded protein response were assessed in (1) cultured 26S proteasome reporter cells and endothelial cells challenged with high glucose, (2) transgenic reporter (Ub(G76V)-green fluorescence protein) and wild-type (C57BL/6J) mice rendered diabetic, and (3) genetically diabetic (Akita and OVE26) mice. In glucose-challenged cells, and also in aortic, renal, and retinal tissues from diabetic mice, enhanced 26S proteasome functionality was observed, evidenced by augmentation of proteasome (chymotrypsin-like) activities and reduction in 26S proteasome reporter proteins, accompanied by increased nitrotyrosine-containing proteins. Also, whereas inhibitor of the nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells α proteins were decreased, an increase was found in nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) nucleus translocation, which enhanced the NF-κB-mediated proinflammatory response, without affecting markers of autophagy or unfolded protein response. Importantly, the alterations were abolished by MG132 administration, small interfering RNA knockdown of PA700 (proteasome activator protein complex), or superoxide scavenging in vivo.'] Does enhancement of 26S proteasome functionality connect oxidative stress and vascular endothelial inflammatory response in diabetes mellitus?