Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
Evaluation of Cerebral Blood Flow Autoregulation in the Rat Using Laser Doppler Flowmetry
Published on: January 19, 2020
Aging impairs vasodilatory responses in rats
Soon Yul Kim1, Jong Taek Park, Jae Kyun Park
1Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Wonju, Korea.
Background:
Aging causes profound changes of stiffness and compliance in the cardiovascular system, which contributes to decreased cardiovascular reserve. Mechanisms of the underlying endothelial vasodilator dysfunction in vasodilator signaling pathways may occur at multiple sites within any of these pathways.
Methods:
Age-related changes in the vasculature were investigated in adult young (3-6 months, Y) and old (26-29 month, O) Wistar rats (n = 6). The aortas were carefully dissected from the rat and cut into rings 1.5-2.0 mm in length to measure in vitro isometric tension. Vasorelaxant responses of aortic rings to acetylcholine (ACh), sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and P1075 were examined using Dose Response software (AD Instruments, Mountain View, CA).
Results:
Endothelium-dependent vasodilator function was impaired. The endothelium of aging rats impaired endothelial NO dependent vasodilation, but the machinery for vasodilation was not impaired.
Conclusions:
Age-related NO-mediated vasorelaxation in the aging endothelium was inhibited and appears to be major mechanism of vascular change and impaired vascular regulation.
More Related Videos
10:28Evaluation of Vascular Control Mechanisms Utilizing Video Microscopy of Isolated Resistance Arteries of Rats
Published on: December 5, 2017
08:41Assessment of Vascular Tone Responsiveness using Isolated Mesenteric Arteries with a Focus on Modulation by Perivascular Adipose Tissues
Published on: June 3, 2019
Related Concept Videos
01:23Antihypertensive Drugs: Vasodilators
01:27Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age