Accelerated vascular aging is a condition that occurs as a complication due to several highly prevalent cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, including hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart failure, vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It is widely recognized that cardiovascular diseases are the most significant factor which causes morbidity associated with diabetes. Emerging clinical evidence suggests that diabetes increases the risk of dementia, and although the mechanisms contributing to this increased morbidity are poorly understood, worsening of the risk factors partly contributes to the enhancement of vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis; the underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated.

Studies in humans and experimental animal models highlight oxidative stress and inflammation as a critical element for diabetes in vascular aging and its consequent impact on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Exosomes are reported to be involved in multiple pathological processes including atherosclerosis, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance. Recent insights regarding the roles of exosome-associated genetic materials (microRNAs) and their regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation in vascular aging and diabetes have drawn a lot of attention. MicroRNAs regulate the physiological function and pathological processes of metabolic disorders and vascular aging. Therefore, they may also be useful as novel or potential diagnostics and therapeutics.

The Special Issue will focus on the targets of the microRNAs and the specific molecular pathways affected, in addition to their influence on both the blood vessels and the heart or brain, such as cardiovascular and chronic neurodegenerative diseases. Contributions are welcome in the form of original research and review articles that help to better understand the pathophysiological characteristics, mechanisms of drug action, novel diagnostics, and therapeutics contribute to the development and maintenance of vascular aging related diseases.

Potential topics include but are not limited to the following:

• MicroRNAs and oxidative stress in diabetes and vascular aging related diseases, especially cardiovascular and/or neurodegenerative diseases
• Novel or potential diagnostics and prognosis for diabetes and vascular aging related diseases, especially cardiovascular and/or neurodegenerative diseases
• Mechanism or target prediction of potential therapeutics (medicinal plants are welcome) for diabetes and vascular aging related diseases, especially cardiovascular and/or neurodegenerative diseases based on network pharmacology
• Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials or primary clinical data to evaluate the efficacy, or otherwise, of novel or potential therapeutics (medicinal plants are welcome) for diabetes and vascular aging related diseases, especially cardiovascular and/or neurodegenerative diseases
• Novel therapeutic strategies (medicinal plants are welcome) for diabetes and vascular aging related diseases (in vitro and in vivo studies), especially cardiovascular and/or neurodegenerative diseases
• Oxidative stress connected with microRNAs in diabetes and vascular aging related disease