Vascular aging: molecular modulation of the prostanoid cascade by calorie restriction

The relevance of prostanoids to inflammation, thrombosis, and cardiovascular diseases is well known. The present study attempts to explore age effects on prostanoids and their biosynthesis cascade. Results from comparing prostanoid levels between young (6 months) and old (24 months) Fischer 344 rats showed rises of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), PGI2, and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) levels in the old rats. Correlating evidence showed gene expression up-regulation of several prostanoid synthase enzymes in old rat aorta. Further, we found that expression of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase was raised by age in the aorta, while superoxide dismutase and catalase expression showed no significant change during aging in the aorta. Moreover, calorie restriction (CR) was found to attenuate age-related prostanoid changes by suppressing inflammatory activities. In conclusion, the data from this study indicated that age-related increases in prostanoids and their biosynthesis might be closely associated with a weakened antioxidant capacity.