Interventions to slow cardiovascular aging: Dietary restriction, drugs and novel molecules

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Cardiovascular aging involves dynamic changes in function and structure.
• These age-dependent vascular changes remain modifiable in older adults.
• Interventions targeting specific signaling pathways show promise.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current approaches for improving age-dependent vascular changes.
• To explore the role of dietary restriction and pharmacologic agents.
• To assess the potential of nutritional strategies and plant bioactives.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on cardiovascular aging interventions.
• Analysis of signaling pathways (TOR, GH/IGF-1, AMPK, sirtuins).
• Evaluation of dietary approaches (Mediterranean diet, bioactives like flavanols, anthocyanins, lignins).

Main Results:

• Dietary restriction and pharmacologic agents can modulate vascular aging.
• Plant bioactives show potential in improving endothelial function, arterial stiffness, blood pressure, cholesterol, and glycemic control.
• Mechanisms of action for many bioactives are not fully understood.

Conclusions:

• Interventions targeting signaling pathways and nutritional approaches show promise for vascular healthy aging.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms of action of plant bioactives.
• Determining if these interventions can reverse cardiovascular aging and increase healthspan/longevity in humans requires investigation.