The endothelium abridges insulin resistance to premature aging

Abstract

Although there are different mechanistic theories for aging,1 endothelial dysfunction (ED) is a rather neglected player in the aging process. A maladaptive insulin/IGF-1-like signaling (IIS) has a remarkable importance in proaging mechanisms, and insulin has direct effects on ED.2 Therefore, we assume that the endothelium plays a key role in mediating the aging process in the presence of maladaptive insulin signaling. This latter condition leads to insulin resistance and affects several aspects involved in premature aging, such as body composition, mitochondrial activity, and endocrine function. The present review highlights key mediators and mechanisms responsible for the link between endothelial dysfunction, insulin resistance and aging. In particular, we discuss the sirtuin-1 system, the p66Shc pathway, telomeres, and their interrelationships with endothelial damage and repair. © 2013 The Authors.