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Vascular Stiffness in Aging and Disease.
Stephen F Vatner1, Jie Zhang1, Christina Vyzas1
1Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine, Rutgers University - New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, United States.
Frontiers in Physiology
|December 24, 2021
Summary
Vascular stiffness increases with age, contributing to diseases like atherosclerosis and hypertension. Understanding sex differences and menopause effects, particularly in humans and primates, is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Aging Research
- Comparative Biology
Background:
- Vascular stiffness is a key aging biomarker.
- Increased stiffness contributes to cardiovascular diseases.
- Sex hormones influence vascular aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- Review age-related vascular stiffness mechanisms.
- Examine sex and species differences (humans, primates, rodents).
- Investigate protective factors in long-lived populations.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of human, primate, and rodent studies.
- Analysis of extracellular matrix changes (collagen, elastin).
- Exploration of other contributing factors (calcification, endothelial function, VSMCs).
Main Results:
- Aortic stiffness varies along the aorta.
- Estrogen offers premenopausal protection in females.
- Rodent models do not fully replicate human menopause-related changes.
Conclusions:
- Vascular stiffness is a significant aging factor.
- Further research in humans and primates is needed for sex-specific insights.
- Understanding protective mechanisms may reveal therapeutic targets.
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