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Sex Differences in the Relation Between Frailty and Endothelial Dysfunction in Old Mice
Jazmin A Cole1, Mackenzie N Kehmeier1, Bradley R Bedell1
1Department of Human Physiology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA.
Summary
Frailty index (FI) in older mice relates differently to vascular endothelial function depending on sex and artery type. This suggests sex-specific mechanisms, like oxidative stress, mediate the frailty-endothelial function link.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Vascular Biology
- Cardiovascular Physiology
Background:
- Vascular endothelial function naturally declines with age, exhibiting significant inter-individual variability.
- Frailty index (FI) serves as a biological age surrogate, but its association with age-related vascular decline remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between frailty and age-related vascular endothelial function in male and female mice.
- To explore potential sex-specific differences in this relationship and identify mediating factors.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of frailty index (FI) and endothelium-dependent dilation (EDD) in young and old male and female C57BL6 mice.
- Assessment of EDD response to a superoxide scavenger and analysis of mesenteric artery gene expression (Sod3, Il1b).
Main Results:
- FI was higher in old mice, with no sex difference. EDD did not differ between old males and females.
- Sex-specific inverse relationships were observed between FI and EDD in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) of females and the mesenteric artery of males.
- Higher FI correlated with greater EDD improvement with a superoxide scavenger in MCAs of old females and mesenteric arteries of old males.
Conclusions:
- The association between frailty and endothelial function is sex- and artery-dependent.
- Arterial oxidative stress and inflammation are potential mediators linking frailty to endothelial dysfunction in aging mice.
