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Colchicine Alleviates Non-Atherosclerotic Vascular Aging by Targeting Endothelial Dysfunction and Inflammatory
Soroush Mohammadi Jouabadi1,2, Annika A Jüttner1, Keivan Golshiri1
1Division of Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Journal of Inflammation Research
|March 26, 2026
Summary
Chronic colchicine treatment mitigates non-atherosclerotic vascular aging (NAVA) by preserving endothelial function and vascular structure. This suggests colchicine
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Pharmacology
- Aging Research
Background:
- Non-atherosclerotic vascular aging (NAVA) involves arterial stiffening and endothelial dysfunction, increasing cardiovascular risk.
- Colchicine, known for anti-inflammatory effects, may protect vascular health.
- A smooth-muscle-specific ERCC1 knockout (SMC-KO) mouse model exhibits DNA-damage-driven vascular aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate if chronic colchicine administration mitigates NAVA in the SMC-KO mouse model.
- To assess colchicine's impact on vascular structure and endothelial function in aging arteries.
Main Methods:
- SMC-KO mice received colchicine (0.1mg/kg/day) or vehicle from 10 to 22 weeks of age.
- Endothelial function was measured via acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation.
- Vascular structure was assessed using pulse-wave velocity (PWV), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), and elastin integrity.
Main Results:
- SMC-KO mice showed increased arterial stiffness and impaired vasorelaxation.
- Colchicine significantly reduced PWV and preserved elastin architecture (p<0.01).
- Colchicine improved endothelium-dependent relaxation; sodium-nitroprusside responses and cytokine levels were unaffected.
Conclusions:
- Chronic colchicine preserves endothelial function, elastin structure, and reduces arterial stiffness in a DNA-damage-driven vascular aging model.
- Findings suggest pleiotropic vascular benefits of colchicine beyond anti-inflammation.
- Colchicine may be repurposed for vascular aging prevention or inspire safer, selective drug development.
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