Premium
Aging imposes limitations on coronary vessel adaptations.
Author(s) -
Tomanek Robert Joseph
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.23.1_supplement.420.3
Subject(s) - arteriogenesis , medicine , angiogenesis , endothelial dysfunction , cardiology , myocardial infarction , nitric oxide
Our understanding of structural and functional changes occurring during the lifespan are limited by the nearly exclusive use of young experimental animals. Studies that have utilized middle‐aged and senescent animals have shown that many systems and organs undergo age‐related changes. Evidence from my laboratory supports the hypothesis that coronary angiogenesis and arteriogenesis are limited by age. These limitations are due, at least in part, to lower expression of growth factors in response to stress, i.e. myocardial infarction and exercise training. Data from other laboratories point to age‐associated endothelial dysfunction, which includes changes in endothelial nitric oxide, endothelin‐1 and angiotensin II. Limitations in bone marrow‐derived endothelial precursor cells and enhanced ROS production are two other topics receiving attention in the last few years. This review focuses on the structural and functional changes in the coronary vasculature which are 1) present under baseline conditions and 2) revealed when acute or chronic stress are imposed and adaptations are required. The relationship of disease states and aging will also be reviewed.