Journal article
Habitual exercise and vascular ageing
The Journal of physiology, Vol.587(Pt 23), pp.5541-5549
12/01/2009
DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2009.178822
PMCID: PMC2805366
PMID: 19723776
Abstract
Age is the major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and this is attributable in part to stiffening of large elastic arteries and development of vascular endothelial dysfunction (e.g. impaired endothelium-dependent dilatation, EDD). In contrast, regular aerobic exercise is associated with reduced risk of CVD. Endurance exercise-trained middle-aged/older adults demonstrate lower large elastic artery stiffness and greater EDD than their sedentary peers. With daily brisk walking, previously sedentary middle-aged/older adults show reduced stiffness and improved EDD. The mechanisms underlying the effects of regular aerobic exercise on large elastic artery stiffness with ageing are largely unknown, but are likely to include changes to the composition of the arterial wall. Enhanced EDD in older adults who exercise is mediated by increased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability associated with reduced oxidative stress. Arteries from old rodents that perform regular aerobic exercise demonstrate increased expression and activity of endothelial NO synthase, reduced oxidative damage associated with reduced expression and activity of the oxidant enzyme NADPH oxidase, and increased activity of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. Aerobic exercise also may protect arteries with ageing by increasing resistance to the effects of other CVD risk factors like LDL-cholesterol. Habitual aerobic exercise is an effective strategy to combat arterial ageing.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Habitual exercise and vascular ageing
- Creators
- Douglas R Seals - University of Colorado, 354 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309, USA. seals@colorado.eduAshley E WalkerGary L PierceLisa A Lesniewski
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Journal of physiology, Vol.587(Pt 23), pp.5541-5549
- Publisher
- England
- DOI
- 10.1113/jphysiol.2009.178822
- PMID
- 19723776
- PMCID
- PMC2805366
- ISSN
- 0022-3751
- eISSN
- 1469-7793
- Grant note
- AG031141 / NIA NIH HHS R01 AG031141 / NIA NIH HHS R01 AG022241 / NIA NIH HHS AG006537 / NIA NIH HHS AG022241 / NIA NIH HHS R01 AG006537 / NIA NIH HHS AG031617 / NIA NIH HHS K01 AG033196 / NIA NIH HHS RR00051 / NCRR NIH HHS M01 RR000051 / NCRR NIH HHS F31 AG031617 / NIA NIH HHS R37 AG013038 / NIA NIH HHS AG000279 / NIA NIH HHS AG015897 / NIA NIH HHS AG013038 / NIA NIH HHS R01 AG013038 / NIA NIH HHS R01 AG015897 / NIA NIH HHS AHA 0715735Z / PHS HHS T32 AG000279 / NIA NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/01/2009
- Academic Unit
- Health and Human Physiology; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984001104302771
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