Key result
Aging is linked to slowed aortic relaxation and increased cytosolic calcium via impaired SR function.
Why the study?
Age-related alterations in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ homeostatic mechanisms in vascular smooth muscle cells contribute to elevated blood pressure but are not fully delineated.
Population
Aortic smooth muscle from rabbits of increasing age
Comparison
Presence vs absence of thapsigargin (sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor) and juvenile vs older animals
Design
Preclinical experimental study using phenylephrine-induced contractions and electron probe X-ray microanalysis
Authors
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May implicate SR Ca2+ pump dysfunction in age-related vascular stiffness; leaves open human translation.
Impaired activity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump associated with aging contributes to increased cytosolic calcium and elevated resting tone in rabbit aortic smooth muscle.
Maloney et al. (1996) studied Age-related changes in vascular smooth muscle. Aging vs. Juvenile animals was evaluated on Relaxation rates after phenylephrine-induced contractions and total calcium content. Aging in rabbits was associated with a decline in aortic relaxation rate and increased cytosolic calcium content, suggesting impaired sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump activity.
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