title: Increased arterial stiffness in normoglycemic normotensive offspring of type 2 diabetic parents.
abstract: Diabetes is associated with a reduction of arterial distensibility. Limited information exists regarding whether or how early this appears in the course of the disease. We studied 54 normoglycemic, normotensive, healthy offspring of 2 parents with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 55 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. Carotid diastolic diameter and systodiastolic change were measured by echo tracking (Wall Track System) and wall thickness by echocolor Doppler (Sonos 5500, Philips). Pulse pressure was measured by a semiautomatic device positioned on the brachial artery and arterial distensibility calculated by Reneman formula. Blood pressure, blood glucose, glycohemoglobin, and insulin sensitivity (homeostasis model assessment index) were normal or only slightly elevated and by and large similar in the 2 groups. Compared with control subjects, offspring of diabetic parents showed similar carotid diameters at diastole and a reduced increase in carotid diameter at systole (-16%), a reduced carotid artery distensibility (-30%), and an increased pulse pressure (+21.8%), all differences being statistically significant (P<0.05) and persisting in subgroups with elevated or normal body mass index values (<25 and >or=25 kg/m(2)). Carotid artery wall thickness was not different between the 2 groups. Thus, subjects with predisposition to diabetes show carotid artery stiffening even in the absence of blood pressure alterations, as well as substantial alterations of glucose metabolism, body mass index, and changes in carotid wall thickness. This suggests that, in diabetes, alterations in arterial mechanical properties represent an early phenomenon, which may occur in the absence of metabolic and blood pressure alterations.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Medica, Milano-Bicocca University and S. Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy. cristina.giannattasio@unimib.it
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giannattasio
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Failla
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Capra
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Scanziani
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amigoni
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boffi
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Whistock
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gamba
authors.forename: Felice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Paleari
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mancia
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000235:genetics; D003971:Diastole; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013599:Systole; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014664:Vasodilation
chemical_list: D005947:Glucose