The Influence of Aging-Related Decrease in Endothelial Function on the Stiffness of Peripheral Conducting Arteries

Introduction: The aim of this study is to determine the degree of aging-related decrease in endothelial capacity for endothelium-dependent vasodilatation and its mutual inter-relation with increase in the stiffness of peripheral arteries. Methods: The reactive hyperemia test is useful for noninvasively evaluating the degree of endothelium-dependent vasodilatation. Stiffness index is a parameter used to evaluate vascular tonus and structural changes in the peripheral vasculature. The examination was done on 30 healthy respondents of both sexes and different ages, with no manifested risk factors and/or symptoms of cardiovascular diseases, to evaluate the influence of endothelium-dependent vasodilatation on the brachial artery and the influence of stiffness index on the common carotid artery. Results: With aging, the functional capacity of the endothelium for endothelium-dependent vasodilatation declines, in men as early as in their 20s, and in women more considerably after the age of 50 years. Over the course of aging, a significant stiffness increase was recorded in respondents of both sexes, the correlations being summarized in the following formulas: stiffness index = 0.028 × years of age + 5.0992 in male respondents, and stiffness index = 0.028 × years of age + 5.1991 in female respondents. Conclusion: Decrease in the capacity of peripheral arteries for endothelium-dependent vasodilatation correlates with increase in the stiffness of peripheral arteries.