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AGING AND LYMPHATIC CONTRACTILITY
Author(s) -
Gashev Anatoliy A.,
Gasheva Olga Yu.,
Nepiushchikh Zhanna V.,
Moore James E.,
Muthuchamy Mariappan,
Rahbar Elaheh
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.764.4
Subject(s) - lymphatic system , contractility , lymph , contraction (grammar) , medicine , peristalsis , isometric exercise , chemistry , thoracic duct , anatomy , endocrinology , cardiology , pathology
All functions of lymphatic system require the lymph flow, which can not exist without the driving force generated by contractions of lymphatic vessels (LV). However the mechanisms regulating the lymphatic contractility and particularly the mechanisms of age‐related alterations in lymphatic pumping remain greatly under discovered. Using confocal imaging we observed the profound reduction of muscle cells in aged rat LV. In vivo flow measurements using fast video microscopy demonstrated greatly decreased basal lymph flow; maximal lymphocyte velocities in aged mesenteric LV are 4‐6 times lower than in the adult LV, contraction amplitude diminished by 50‐60%; while the contractions are irregular with long periods of inactivity. The profound inhibition of the contractile activity has been observed also in isolated aged rat thoracic duct (TD) and mesenteric LV. The basic flow/eNOS‐dependent regulation is abolished in aged TD, protein message is greatly depleted. At the same time in aged TD the substantial iNOS activation, confirmed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, occurs; its functional importance confirmed by pressure/flow tests. We concluded that depletion of the contractile reserves in LV in elderly diminishes their ability to provide the adequate transport of lymph during the periods of the increased volumetric loads. Support: NIH RO1 AG030578, HL070308, HL080526, TAMU CERH 5 P30 ES09106‐08.