Effects of ageing and fitness on skin-microvessel vasodilator function in humans

Abstract

The impact of cardiopulmonary fitness (VO(2max)) on the age-related decline in skin-microvessel vasodilator function has not been fully established and the inter-relationships among different measures of microvascular vasodilator function are unknown. We used laser Doppler flowmetry to assess relative changes in forearm skin blood flow to various stimuli in three groups of adults: young (n = 15; 27 +/- 2 years), older sedentary (n = 14; 65 +/- 6 years) and older fit (n = 15; 61 +/- 5 years). Local-heating induced and post-occlusive hyperaemia responses were higher in the young and older fit groups compared to the older sedentary group (P < 0.05) and were moderately correlated with VO(2max) in the pooled cohort of older adults (r = 0.49-0.58; P < 0.05). Peak hyperaemia responses to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside were higher in young compared to older sedentary adults (P < 0.05) and were not associated with VO(2max) in older adults (P > 0.05). Associations among different measures of microvascular vasodilator function were generally moderate at best. In summary, the local heating and reactive hyperaemia data indicate that the age-related decline in skin-microvessel vasodilator function can be ameliorated through regular aerobic exercise training. As this is not supported by the iontophoresis data, we recommend that, when assessing microvascular function, the use of a single physiological or pharmacological stimulation coupled to laser Doppler flowmetry should be avoided. Finally, the moderate correlations between outcomes probably reflect the distinct mediators that are responsible for the vasodilator response to each test.

Evaluation of drug and sunscreen permeation via skin irradiated with UVA and UVB: Comparisons of normal skin and chronologically aged skin

“…This suggests that only minor damage occurred due to intrinsic aging compared to photoaging. It was reported that senescence is associated with an attenuated vasodilation response and reduced melanocyte numbers [31,32]. Our results confirmed these phenomena by macroscopic observation and erythema detection.…”

Aging is associated with a diminished axon reflex response to local heating on the gaiter skin area

“…No specific interaction was found between nerve blockade and age. Unlike the forearm, the NO-dependent plateau phase is minimal, and is not significantly diminished on the supramedial malleolar skin of the elderly volunteers (Minson et al, 2002;Tew et al, 2010). Unlike on the forearm, in supramedial malleolar skin the late LTH plateau remained stable without dwindling away, until beyond 60 min in both the younger and older groups.…”

“…In recent years, a few teams showed that both the axon reflex and NO-dependent cutaneous vasodilation during local heating on the forearm is altered with age (Minson et al, 2002;Tew et al, 2010). Again on the forearm, abnormal initial peak and late plateau in response to local heating were further confirmed in non-neuropathic and neuropathic older subjects (Fromy et al, 2010).…”

“…Aging is associated with changes in endothelial function that are independent of cardiovascular risk factors (Taddei et al, 1995(Taddei et al, , 2001, such impairment being partially compensated by aerobic exercise (Black et al, 2008;Franzoni et al, 2004;Tew et al, 2010). In recent years, a few teams showed that both the axon reflex and NO-dependent cutaneous vasodilation during local heating on the forearm is altered with age (Minson et al, 2002;Tew et al, 2010).…”

“…In the forearm skin of older men and women both the initial peak and the late plateau are reduced compared with younger subjects (Minson et al, 2002;Tew et al, 2010Tew et al, , 2011. As most physiological studies have been performed on the forearm skin, data on the lower limbs are scarce.…”