If cross-linking of elastin fibers within arterial walls increases due to advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) from chronic hyperglycemia, which consequence follows?

💡 Explanation

Increased cross-linking via AGEs reduces elastin's elasticity, causing aortic stiffening because elastin's compliance decreases. This leads to pulse wave amplification, therefore, the increased stiffness propagates pressure waves faster, rather than blood vessels becoming more compliant, or baroreceptor sensitivity being enhanced.

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