Old obese Zucker rats exhibited higher systolic arterial pressure (178 vs 134 mmHg) and greater age-dependent arterial stiffening compared to lean rats, linked to early increases in free fatty acids.
Absolute Event Rate: 178% vs 134%
To analyze age-related interactions between obesity, its associated metabolic disorders, and macrocirculation, we studied large artery stiffness and fatty acid responsiveness in lean and obese Zucker rats, aged 25 (adult) and 80 weeks (very old). Systolic arterial pressure was higher in old obese than in old lean rats (178 ± 10 vs 134 ± 8 mmHg, respectively). Carotid elastic modulus-wall stress curves showed increased age-dependent arterial stiffening, which was greater in obese animals. Old obese exhibited endothelial dysfunction with increased systemic oxidative stress. Adult obese had elevated plasma free fatty acid levels (1,866 ± 177 vs 310 ± 34 μg/μL in lean animals). In old obese, linoleate and palmitate increased contractility to phenylephrine and reduced relaxation to acetylcholine. Thus, obesity at 25 weeks appears to trigger accelerated arterial aging observed at 80 weeks. The early increase in free fatty acids may be a key effector in the severe arterial stiffness of the aged obese Zucker model.
Sloboda et al. (Thu,) conducted a other in Obesity and arterial stiffness. Obesity vs. Lean was evaluated on Systolic arterial pressure in old rats. Old obese Zucker rats exhibited higher systolic arterial pressure (178 vs 134 mmHg) and greater age-dependent arterial stiffening compared to lean rats, linked to early increases in free fatty acids.