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Perivascular adipose tissue-mediated arterial stiffening in aging and disease: An emerging translational therapeutic
Bradley S Fleenor1, Nicholas A Carlini1, An Ouyang2
1Clinical Exercise Physiology, Human Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, United States.
Insights
Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) directly impacts arterial stiffening, a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Targeting PVAT offers a novel therapeutic strategy to reduce arterial stiffness and CVD risk.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular research
- Adipose tissue biology
- Vascular aging
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the primary cause of death globally.
- Arterial stiffening is a critical factor in CVD development, exacerbated by aging and disease.
- Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT), surrounding blood vessels, significantly influences arterial stiffness but remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review preclinical evidence on how PVAT contributes to arterial stiffening.
- To explore the mechanisms by which PVAT promotes arterial stiffness.
- To discuss potential therapeutic interventions targeting PVAT to improve arterial health.
Main Methods:
- Review of current preclinical studies on PVAT and arterial stiffness.
- Analysis of molecular and physiological mechanisms linking PVAT to vascular function.
- Evaluation of lifestyle and pharmacological interventions affecting PVAT.
Main Results:
- PVAT plays a direct and significant role in promoting arterial stiffening.
- Aging and disease states alter PVAT function, contributing to vascular pathology.
- Specific interventions can modify PVAT to potentially reverse arterial stiffening.
Conclusions:
- PVAT is a promising therapeutic target for managing arterial stiffness.
- Modulating PVAT function may offer a novel approach to reduce CVD morbidity and mortality.
- Further research into PVAT is crucial for clinical translation in cardiovascular medicine.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of mortality in modernized societies. Arterial stiffening with aging and disease is a key pathological event leading to increased CVD morbidity and mortality. Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is a fat depot not widely studied yet has direct and profound effects on arterial stiffening. Identifying PVAT as a novel therapeutic target to lower arterial stiffness and thereby CVD risk has potentially important clinical ramifications. Thus, herein, we will overview the current preclinical evidence and the associated mechanisms for PVAT to promote arterial stiffness with aging and other disease conditions. We will also discuss viable translational lifestyle and pharmacological interventions for altering PVAT function that may de-stiffen arteries. Last, the translational potential for PVAT as a therapeutic target to lower arterial stiffness and CVD risk for clinical populations will be discussed.
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