Age-related changes in regional blood flow in the rat

The purpose of this investigation was to characterize the changes in regional blood flow and central hemodynamic measures that occur in the rat as a result of the aging process. The isotope-labeled microsphere technique was used to measure cardiac output and regional blood flows in conscious and anesthetized adult (12 mo) and senescent (24 mo) Fischer 344 virgin female rats. No significant changes were observed in central hemodynamic measurements or regional blood flows in conscious rats with the exception of a 25% reduction in splenic blood flow. Pentobarbital anesthesia significantly reduced cardiac index and heart rate but elevated total peripheral resistance and mean arterial blood pressure. There was a decrease in blood flow to skeletal muscle, spleen, duodenum, stomach, and brain tissue samples and increased hepatic arterial blood flow in both age groups. The use of anesthesia caused a greater reduction in the cardiac index and brain blood flow in the senescent anesthetized rats than in the adult rats. Heart and kidney blood flows were decreased by anesthesia in the senescent rats but not in the adult rats. Skeletal muscle blood flow, however, was significantly greater in the senescent anesthetized rats than in the younger anesthetized animals. Although body weight and organ weights of the liver, spleen, kidneys, stomach, heart, and brain were significantly greater for the senescent rats, no differences could be demonstrated in tibial length or lean body mass.