This study by Giannattasio et al. addressed the impact of family diabetic background on large artery function and structure by measuring carotid artery distensibility and wall thickness in 54 normoglycemic, normotensive, healthy offsprings of 2 parents with type 2 diabetes and in 55 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. Study findings indicated that subjects with a high probability of developing type 2 diabetes already showed carotid artery stiffening though blood glucose was normal. Moreover, carotid artery stiffening was found even in the absence of blood pressure alterations and changes in carotid wall thickness and also when body mass index was normal. This suggests that, in type 2 diabetes, alterations in arterial mechanical properties may occur early and in the absence of metabolic and blood pressure alterations. These findings have clinical implications because arterial stiffening represents an important cardiovascular risk factor. The authors concluded that genetic influences, operating through a mechanism different from intima-media wall thickness, body weight, and glucose metabolism, may be responsible for the alterations in arterial mechanical properties.
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