HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Free Full Text (PDF) Free All Versions of this Article: 97/4/1268    most recent 00242.2004v1 Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (8) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Sullivan, J. C. Articles by Pollock, J. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Sullivan, J. C. Articles by Pollock, J. S.

Age-related alterations in NOS and oxidative stress in mesenteric arteries from male and female rats

¹Vascular Biology Center, and Departments of ²Pharmacology and Toxicology and ³Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia 30912

Submitted 5 March 2004 ; accepted in final form 21 May 2004

Epidemiological evidence suggests that advancing age affects the cardiovascular system of men and women differently. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the effects of aging on nitric oxide synthase (NOS), oxidative stress, and vascular function are different in males and females. Mesenteric arteries from young (3 mo) and old (24 mo) male and female Fischer 344/Brown Norway rats were studied. Western blot analysis and NOS activity were performed on the homogenized mesenteric arterial bed separated into cytosolic and membrane-associated fractions. Plasma 8-isoprostane measurements assessed oxidative stress. Vascular reactivity was determined by using a wire myograph in the absence and presence of a NOS inhibitor, N-nitro-L-arginine, to examine endothelial function and basal and stimulated nitric oxide release. In additional arteries, reactivity was performed in the presence of polyethylene glycol-SOD to assess the impact of superoxide on vascular function. Among females, aging was associated with a decline in membrane-associated NOS activity and membrane-associated NOS III protein expression. Advancing age in males was associated with increased cytosolic NOS III protein expression. Among both males and females, advancing age resulted in increased oxidative stress. Vascular function was maintained with age in arteries from both males and females, and there was no difference in either basal or stimulated nitric oxide release with age. Despite sex-specific effects of advancing age on the NOS system and increases in markers of oxidative stress, vascular function is maintained in mesenteric arteries from aged Fischer 344/Brown Norway rats. These data suggest that age-related alterations in the resistance vasculature are complex and likely involve multiple compensating vasoactive pathways.

aging; nitric oxide; oxygen radicals; vascular reactivity

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. M. Sheridan, M. J. Ferguson, M. R. Distasi, F. A. Witzmann, M. C. Dalsing, S. J. Miller, and J. L. Unthank Impact of genetic background and aging on mesenteric collateral growth capacity in Fischer 344, Brown Norway, and Fischer 344 x Brown Norway hybrid rats Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, December 1, 2007; 293(6): H3498 - H3505. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K.-T. Kang, J. C. Sullivan, J. M. Sasser, J. D. Imig, and J. S. Pollock Novel Nitric Oxide Synthase-Dependent Mechanism of Vasorelaxation in Small Arteries From Hypertensive Rats Hypertension, April 1, 2007; 49(4): 893 - 901. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. J. Behnke, R. D. Prisby, L. A. Lesniewski, A. J. Donato, H. M. Olin, and M. D. Delp Influence of ageing and physical activity on vascular morphology in rat skeletal muscle J. Physiol., September 1, 2006; 575(2): 617 - 626. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. A. Arenas, Y. Xu, and S. T. Davidge Age-associated impairment in vasorelaxation to fluid shear stress in the female vasculature is improved by TNF-{alpha} antagonism Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, March 1, 2006; 290(3): H1259 - H1263. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Barton Ageing as a determinant of renal and vascular disease: role of endothelial factors Nephrol. Dial. Transplant., March 1, 2005; 20(3): 485 - 490. [Full Text] [PDF]