Age-related changes in arterial wall mechanics and composition of NIA Fischer rats

https://doi.org/10.1016/0047-6374(83)90096-9Get rights and content

Abstract

Segments of carotid and tail arteries and descending thoracic aorta were obtained from the NIA colony of Fischer rats at ages 3, 12, 24 and 30 months. Measurements of pressure and diameter were made on intact cylindrical segments under conditions of active (147 mM K+ and pssive (Ca2+ -free and 2 mM EGTA) smooth muscle. These data were used to compute active and passive mechanics. Contiguous segments were used for the analysis of connective tissue, water and electrolyte contents. Passive stiffness of the carotid and tail arteries increased monotonically with increasing age. Collagen content in the aorta and tail artery generally increased with age, while elastin content decreased in the aorta and carotid artery. The ratio of collagen to elastin increased at all sites with age. Maximum values of active stress response (force development) increased from 3 to 12 months for the carotid artery, but decreased with age (at 24 and 30 months compared to 3 and 12 months) for the tail artery. Changes in relative cell content were such that active cellular force development was the same at all ages for the carotid artery but was smaller at 24 and 30 months compared to the younger animals for the tail artery. Decreased cellular force development by arterial smooth muscle is not an anatomically uniform finding in this animal model.

References (33)

  • C.L. Berry et al.

    Static mechanical properties of the developing and mature rat aorta

    Cardiovasc. Res.

    (1975)
  • R.H. Cox

    Effects of age on the mechanical properties of rat carotid artery

    Am. J. Physiol.

    (1977)
  • R.G. Gerrity et al.

    The aortic tunica media of the developing rat

    Lab. Invest.

    (1975)
  • C.L. Berry et al.

    Effects of hypertension on the static mechanical properties and chemical composition of the rat aorta

    Cardiovasc. Res.

    (1976)
  • M.G. Soret et al.

    Electron microscopy of the aorta in young and adult Chinese hamsters

    Artery

    (1976)
  • M.L. Cohen et al.

    Vascular contraction: Effect of age and extracellular calcium

    Blood Vessels

    (1976)
  • Cited by (36)

    • Pyridoxamine prevents age-related aortic stiffening and vascular resistance in association with reduced collagen glycation

      2011, Experimental Gerontology
      Citation Excerpt :

      Contradictory observations were reported in Fisher 344 rats: one study showed no change (Delp et al., 1998), another a slight decrease (Buñag et al., 1990), and yet another an increase (Yu et al., 1985) in the blood pressure with age. Other studies have also shown that aged Fisher 344 rats do not readily develop atherosclerosis (Coleman et al., 1977) and hypertension (Hall et al., 1976; Cox, 1983). In this current study, the aortic pressure profile did not change significantly as the rats aged.

    • Two new elastin cross-links having pyridine skeleton. Implication of ammonia in elastin cross-linking in vivo

      2001, Journal of Biological Chemistry
      Citation Excerpt :

      In general, the elastin concentration decreases, and the collagen concentration increases until a certain age and then reaches a plateau (41-45). However, few studies have investigated the biochemical properties and the contents of elastin and collagen in the same vessel, and the results have been conflicting (41, 42, 45). The changes in the biochemical properties of collagen are characterized by the formation of cross-links, especially those derived from nonenzymatic glycation (19, 20).

    View all citing articles on Scopus

    Maining address: Robert H. Cox, Ph.D., Bockus Research Institute, Graduate Hospital, 19th & Lombard Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19146, U.S.A.

    View full text