Studies on age-related changes in vascular smooth muscle and their Ca2+ mechanisms

1. Increases in cell proliferation and DNA synthesis were observed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from old rats. These effects were significantly enhanced by noradrenaline but were inhibited by nifedipine. 2. Ginsenosides, traditional Chinese drugs, inhibited the proliferation and DNA synthesis in VSMC from old rats. Cytosolic and nuclear Ca2+ levels, as well as calmodulin activity, were clearly higher in old rats compared with young rats. 3. Both Ca2+ and calmodulin levels rose abruptly in the late G1 phase in the VSMC cell cycle in old rats. 4. The increase in inositol phosphate levels stimulated by phenylephrine in VSMC was greater in old than in young rats. 5. The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) gene was overexpressed in old rats. The results indicate that vascular ageing is related to enhanced proliferation of VSMC. Abnormal Ca2+ homeostasis as well as overexpression of the PDGF gene may be responsible. 6. Nifedipine and ginsenosides may inhibit VSMC proliferation with age.