Morphometrical analysis of the aging process in human arteries and aorta

Toda, Takayoshi; Tsuda, Nobuo; Nishimori, Issei; Leszczynski, D. E.; Kummerow, Fred A.

doi:10.1159/000145167

Cited by 77 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 2 publications

(2 reference statements)

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“…It has also been reported that the remodelling of the human thoracic aorta that occurs with ageing was associated with fragmentation of elastin fibres [94]. This fragmentation has also been reported in old, highly calcified thoracic aortas accompanied by atherosclerotic lesions [95].…”

Section: Effects Of Agementioning

confidence: 80%

“…It was suggested that the decreased expression of fibulin-5 might impair the assembly of mature elastin in the ATA tissue, which could render the wall susceptible to dissection. This trend of decreased number of SMCs in the aortic wall is also common in ageing, hypertension and in presence of atheromatous plaque [88][89][90]94]. Disrupted and irregular elastin lamellae have been observed in the medial layer of dissecting ATAs with and without accompanying aneurysm, with some areas either being devoid of an elastin fibre framework, or having localized elastin fragmentation [56,59].…”

Section: Effects Of Diseasementioning

confidence: 94%

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Elastin and collagen fibre microstructure of the human aorta in ageing and disease: a review

Tsamis

Krawiec

Vorp

2013

J. R. Soc. Interface.

395

300

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Aortic disease is a significant cause of death in developed countries. The most common forms of aortic disease are aneurysm, dissection, atherosclerotic occlusion and ageing-induced stiffening. The microstructure of the aortic tissue has been studied with great interest, because alteration of the quantity and/or architecture of the connective fibres (elastin and collagen) within the aortic wall, which directly imparts elasticity and strength, can lead to the mechanical and functional changes associated with these conditions. This review article summarizes the state of the art with respect to characterization of connective fibre microstructure in the wall of the human aorta in ageing and disease, with emphasis on the ascending thoracic aorta and abdominal aorta where the most common forms of aortic disease tend to occur.

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Section: Effects Of Agementioning

confidence: 80%

Section: Effects Of Diseasementioning

confidence: 94%

Elastin and collagen fibre microstructure of the human aorta in ageing and disease: a review

Tsamis

Krawiec

Vorp

2013

J. R. Soc. Interface.

395

300

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…30 Furthermore, the aging process is characterized by a decrease in elastin and an increase in collagen fibers. 31,32 The more distensible elastin component is principally load bearing at lower pressures and small distensions, whereas at higher pressures, elastin together with stiffer collagen components are load bearing. 31,33 Thus, a dilated CCA in the elderly, with presumably reduced elastin lamellae and increased collagen components, seems to be stiffer.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structural, Functional, and Hemodynamic Changes of the Common Carotid Artery With Age in Male Subjects

Schmidt‐Trucksäss

Grathwohl

Schmid

et al. 1999

ATVB

122

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Abstract-Aging of the common carotid artery (CCA) is associated with different principal structural, functional, and hemodynamic changes, which are often influenced by several atherosclerotic risk factors, so that it is difficult to estimate the exclusive effect of aging on this process. Studies dealing with vascular aging of the CCA usually assess only single, dimensional, or functional parameters, although it is likely that there are interactions and probably differences between them. Moreover, regional vascular blood flow characteristics are often not taken into consideration. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the age-related multiparametric changes of the CCA properties with ultrasound in 69 male subjects between the ages of 16 and 75 (42.4Ϯ16.5 years), who were screened for the absence of major atherosclerotic risk factors or existing vascular disease. As a result, the intima media thickness (0.052 mm/10 y) and diastolic diameter (0.17 mm/10 y) increased nearly linearly with age (rϭ0. 60, PϽ0.001; and rϭ0.46, PϽ0.001, respectively). The absolute diastolic/systolic diameter change diminished by 0.10 mm/10 y (rϭϪ0.73, PϽ0.001) and peak expansion velocity dropped by 0.12 cm/s per 10 years (rϭϪ0.62, PϽ0.001) highly significantly with age. The peak blood flow velocity decreased continuously with age (rϭϪ0.67, PϽ0.00) by 9.3 cm/s per 10 years. According to multiple regression analysis, peak blood flow velocity seems to reflect the changes of several structural and functional parameters in one; intima-media thickness was determined by diastolic arterial diameter and age as independent variables. The data indicate that a multiparametric assessment may contribute to a better understanding of vascular aging and might be the basis for further studies to evaluate the association of atherosclerotic risk factors and/or major vascular disease with local changes in the CCA. Key Words: carotid artery Ⅲ aging Ⅲ arterial stiffness Ⅲ ultrasound V ascular aging is associated with different principal structural and functional changes; ie, intima-media thickening, 1,2 arterial dilation, 3,4 and the deterioration of elastic wall properties with vascular stiffening 5-7 belong to this process. Each of these has an impact on vascular blood flow and the local and/or systemic hemodynamics interact with the structure and function of the artery. For example, both the elevation of blood pressure and stroke volume increase the wall shear rate and may thus lead to a midterm increase in the thickness of the intima-media 8 or structural adaptation in the form of a greater vascular diameter. 9 Although these interactions are known, very few studies take all these structural, functional, and hemodynamic parameters into consideration, which might be of interest to enable a better understanding of the relation of aging to the named arterial changes. Furthermore, only little data exist on the differences in the progression of these alterations.It is well known that atherosclerotic risk factors such as a high cholesterol level, hyperten...

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“…One possible explanation for the greater sensitivity of small artery changes is that the large arteries tend to increase in caliber with aging. 34 The effect of a reduction in arterial wall elastic properties on arterial distensibility might then be counterbalanced by a caliber increase in the large arteries but not in the small arteries. This caliber increase could maintain compliance despite a reduction of distensibility caused by structural or functional alterations in the wall.…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

Age-Related Abnormalities in Arterial Compliance Identified by Pressure Pulse Contour Analysis

et al. 1999

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Abstract-The objective of this study was to evaluate age-related changes in pulsatile arterial function. Aging alters arterial pulsatile function and produces consistent changes in the pressure pulse contour. A reduced systemic arterial compliance that can be derived from analysis of the pulse contour is regarded as the best clinical index of impaired pulsatile arterial function and may mark the presence of early vascular damage. We analyzed intra-arterial brachial artery waveforms in 115 healthy normotensive volunteers (83 men, 32 women) and radial artery waveforms obtained with the use of a calibrated tonometer device in 212 healthy volunteers (147 women, 65 men). A computer-based assessment of the diastolic pressure decay and a modified Windkessel model of the circulation were used to quantify changes in arterial waveform morphology in terms of large artery or capacitive compliance, oscillatory or reflective compliance in the small arteries, inertance, and systemic vascular resistance. Large artery compliance and oscillatory compliance correlated negatively with age for both invasive and noninvasive groups (rϭϪ0. 50 and rϭϪ0.55; rϭϪ0.37 and rϭϪ0.66; PϽ0.001 for all). The slopes of the regression lines for the decline in oscillatory compliance with age were significantly steeper than those recorded for large artery compliance estimates. The change in blood pressure with age independently contributed to the decrease in large artery compliance but not oscillatory compliance in both groups. Consistent age-related changes were found in the pressure pulse contour by analysis of waveforms obtained invasively or noninvasively from the upper limb. The change in the oscillatory or reflective compliance estimate was independent of blood pressure change and may represent a better marker than large artery or capacitive compliance of the degenerative aging process in altering pulsatile arterial function. (Hypertension. 1999;33:1392-1398.)Key Words: age Ⅲ compliance Ⅲ resistance Ⅲ impedance A daptations in the arterial vasculature play a critical role in influencing cardiovascular hemodynamics with advancing age. 1 The generalized structural and functional changes in the arterial circulation contribute to alterations in regional blood flow, progression of atherogenesis, and the microvascular abnormalities that occur during senescence. 2 In large arteries, aging results in progressive deposition of calcium salts, fraying and fragmentation of elastin, and an increase in the number and cross-linking of collagen fibers that alter the compliance characteristics of the vessel wall. 3 A rigid aorta is less able to buffer the pulsatile output from the heart; it contributes to an increase in systolic blood pressure and left ventricular afterload and a decrease in diastolic blood pressure and impaired coronary perfusion. Recent evidence suggests that an increase in pulse pressure is accompanied by progressive vessel wall damage and atherogenesis and is associated with an increase in cardiac morbidity and mortality rates. 4,5 In addi...

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Morphometrical analysis of the aging process in human arteries and aorta

Cited by 77 publications

References 2 publications

Elastin and collagen fibre microstructure of the human aorta in ageing and disease: a review

Elastin and collagen fibre microstructure of the human aorta in ageing and disease: a review

Structural, Functional, and Hemodynamic Changes of the Common Carotid Artery With Age in Male Subjects

Age-Related Abnormalities in Arterial Compliance Identified by Pressure Pulse Contour Analysis

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