Le diabète accélère le vieillissement artériel : aspects morphologiques et fonctionnels

Epidemiologic and pathologic data have demonstrated that diabetic patients are prematurely exposed to atherosclerotic lesions thus it has been suggested that diabetes confers an equivalent risk to ageing 15 years more. Ageing and diabetes share common vascular abnormalities. Structural modifications include intima-media thickness, matrix remodeling, and calcifications. Functional changes are representated by arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction. Common pathophysiologic mechanisms including advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) and oxidative stress are also described and suggest novel therapeutic targets.