Comparison of arterial wall properties in young and old racing greyhounds

Arteries were obtained from several sites in young (YGH) and old racing greyhounds (OGH). Segments were used for the determination of arterial wall mechanics under conditions of active (norepinephrine) and passive (Ca2+ free and 2 mM EGTA) smooth muscle. Contiguous segments were used for the chemical analysis of connective tissue, water and electrolyte content. The passive stiffness of arteries from OGH was consistently greater than that of the YGH. Collagen content and the collagen-elastin ratio were larger at all sites in the OGH. However, the connective tissue changes were not considered to be of sufficient magnitude to explain the changes in passive mechanics. Maximum values of active stress development were generally lower in arteries from the OGH as was their relative cell content. Active stress development normalized to smooth muscle cell cross-section was not uniformly changed in arteries from OGH. In spite of the lower active stress development in some arteries, the ability of smooth muscle to constrict lumen diameter was not different between OGH and YGH at transmural pressures in the physiological range. While a number of changes occur in arteries of purebred greyhounds with aging, they appear to occur in such a fashion that normal function is not grossly altered.