Pharmacological targeting of medial elastocalcinosis is proposed as a valuable therapeutic strategy to prevent and reverse age-related large artery stiffening and isolated systolic hypertension.
Arteriosclerosis, characterized by remodeling and stiffening of large elastic arteries is the most significant manifestation of vascular aging. The increased stiffening is believed to originate from a gradual mechanical senescence of the elastic network, alterations in cross-linking of extracellular matrix components, fibrosis and calcification of elastic fibers (medial elastocalcinosis). The stiffening of large arteries reduces their capacitance and accelerates pulse wave velocity, thus contributing to a widening of pulse pressure and to the increased prevalence of isolated systolic hypertension with age. Current antihypertensive drugs were mainly designed to reduce peripheral resistance and are not adequate to alter the pathological process of vascular stiffening or even to selectively reduce systolic blood pressure in isolated systolic hypertension. This review puts forward the concept that elastocalcinosis is a valuable therapeutic target and presents evidence that this process can be prevented and reversed pharmacologically.
Dao et al. (2005) conducted a review in Arteriosclerosis, large artery stiffness, and isolated systolic hypertension. Pharmacological targeting of elastocalcinosis was evaluated. Pharmacological targeting of medial elastocalcinosis is proposed as a valuable therapeutic strategy to prevent and reverse age-related large artery stiffening and isolated systolic hypertension.