Age-related Impairment of Vascular Structure and Functions

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Vascular Biology
• Pathology

Background:

• Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are leading causes of death globally.
• Vascular dysfunction is a hallmark of aging and a primary risk factor for these diseases.
• Age is an independent and critical determinant of vascular health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an in-depth review of the morphological alterations in aging blood vessels.
• To elucidate the relationship between structural vascular changes and functional decline with age.
• To highlight age-related microvessel loss and changes across all vascular layers.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of studies on vascular aging.
• Analysis of morphological changes in microvessels, capillaries, and larger vessels (intima, media, adventitia).
• Examination of functional vascular dysfunctions associated with these structural alterations.

Main Results:

• Significant age-related microvessel loss occurs.
• Structural changes include thickening of the capillary basement membrane and alterations in the intima, media, and adventitia.
• These morphological changes contribute to various vascular dysfunctions.

Conclusions:

• Vascular aging involves complex morphological and functional deteriorations.
• Understanding these changes is crucial for developing interventions against age-related vascular diseases.
• Targeting vascular aging mechanisms may mitigate cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risks.