Glycation: The angiogenic paradox in aging and age-related disorders and diseases

• Aging is associated with both pro- and anti-angiogenic processes.
• The effect of glycation on angiogenesis depends on the type of glycated proteins, cells or models studied.
• Glycation could explain the angiogenic paradox during aging and age-related disorders and diseases.

Angiogenesis is generally a quiescent process which, however, may be modified by different physiological and pathological conditions. The “angiogenic paradox” has been described in diabetes because this disease impairs the angiogenic response in a manner that differs depending on the organs involved and disease evolution. Aging is also associated with pro- and antiangiogenic processes. Glycation, the post-translational modification of proteins, increases with aging and the progression of diabetes. The effect of glycation on angiogenesis depends on the type of glycated proteins and cells involved. This complex link could be responsible for the “angiogenic paradox” in aging and age-related disorders and diseases. Using diabetes as a model, the present work has attempted to review the age-related angiogenic paradox, in particular the effects of glycation on angiogenesis during aging.