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Aging affects vascular structure and function in a limb-specific manner

Steven K Nishiyama1, D Walter Wray, Russell S Richardson

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0623, USA.

Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
|August 23, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Aging significantly impacts blood vessel health, particularly in the legs. Older adults show increased intima-media thickness and reduced flow-mediated dilation in the popliteal artery, suggesting a higher risk for vascular issues in the legs.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular aging
  • Vascular physiology
  • Arterial structure and function

Background:

  • The limb-specific effects of aging on blood vessel structure and function are not fully understood.
  • Aging is associated with increased risk of vascular pathologies, especially in the lower extremities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the limb-specific effects of aging on vascular structure and function.
  • To compare intima-media thickness (IMT), ischemic reperfusion, and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in the arms and legs of young and old healthy adults.

Main Methods:

  • Ultrasound Doppler was used to assess IMT, ischemic reperfusion, and FMD in the brachial artery (arm) and popliteal artery (leg).
  • Measurements were taken in 12 young (26±2 yr) and 12 old (72±1 yr) healthy subjects following 5 minutes of suprasystolic cuff occlusion.

Main Results:

  • Older adults exhibited greater IMT in both brachial and popliteal arteries compared to younger adults.
  • Age-related differences were observed in ischemic reperfusion, mirroring IMT findings.
  • Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was attenuated in both brachial and popliteal arteries of older adults, with a more pronounced reduction in the popliteal artery when normalized for shear rate.

Conclusions:

  • Aging differentially affects vascular structure and function in the arms and legs.
  • Healthy older adults demonstrate greater intima-media thickness and attenuated FMD specifically in the legs.
  • These findings support the increased propensity for vascular pathology in the legs with age.

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