The molecule that preserves the youth of our blood vessels
This team from Georgia State University identifies a molecule with promising anti-aging effects on the vascular system. Produced during a period of fasting or caloric restriction, the molecule would have the ability to reduce the frequency and severity of human diseases associated with blood vessels.
With age, humans are more susceptible to chronic diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and dementia including Alzheimer's disease, said lead author Dr. Ming-Hui Zou, a distinguished molecular medicine researcher. “Age is the single most important risk factor for human disease. Delaying aging is a major way to reduce the incidence and severity of disease in humans. However, vascular aging is probably the most important element of aging: because with age, the vessels that supply the various organs are the vessels most affected”.
The link between caloric restriction and delayed aging:
other studies, in animals, have already shown that caloric restriction can prolong life in good health. Here, one of the molecular processes of this effect is deciphered: the researchers identify a small molecule produced by the liver from fatty acids during periods of low food consumption, β-hydroxybutyrate, a molecule water soluble. This compound, β-hydroxybutyrate, can delay vascular aging by endothelial cells, which line the surface of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels.
A key molecule for endothelial health:
while senescent cells can no longer multiply and divide, β-hydroxybutyrate stimulates division and slows cell aging. Because this molecule is produced during caloric restriction, in cases of overeating or obesity, the molecule is suppressed, which accelerates aging. Normally, β-hydroxybutyrate binds to a specific RNA-binding protein, which increases stem cell factor activity in vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells—here seen in mice. In addition, this stem cell factor increases a key factor against senescence induced by DNA damage, and thus promotes the “youthfulness” of blood vessels.
A compound capable of mimicking these effects?
In search of a comprehensive approach to preventing cardiovascular disease and other age-related diseases, researchers are working on the synthesis of a compound capable of mimicking the effects of β-hydroxybutyrate. Because it is impossible to ask patients to deprive themselves of food. Stem cell factor (Oct4) is also being considered as a promising drug target to slow down or prevent aging.
What is the main cardiovascular risk factors?
The Nation's Risk Factors and CDC's Response. Leading risk factors for heart disease and stroke are high blood pressure, high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, diabetes, smoking and secondhand smoke exposure, obesity, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity.
What are the three 3 major functions of the cardiovascular system?
Circulates OXYGEN and removes Carbon Dioxide. Provides cells with NUTRIENTS. Removes the waste products of metabolism to the excretory organs for disposal.
What is the biological process of aging?
Biological ageing results from the accumulation of damage within cells, leading to a loss of function and, ultimately, cell death. The underlying mechanisms of ageing are also risk factors in the onset of frailty, disability and long-term diseases.
What are the 2 types of aging?
That's because there are actually two types of aging. Intrinsic aging occurs naturally as we grow older and is largely a product of heredity. Extrinsic aging is based almost entirely on external factors.
What are the two types of aging?
Intrinsic aging is an inevitable physiological process that results in thin, dry skin, fine wrinkles, and gradual dermal atrophy, while extrinsic aging is engendered by external environment factors such as air pollution, smoking, poor nutrition, and sun exposure, resulting in coarse wrinkles, loss of elasticity, laxity ...
Can emotional stress cause heart problems?
Stress may lead to high blood pressure, which can pose a risk for heart attack and stroke. Stress also may contribute to such cardiovascular disease risks as smoking, overeating and lack of physical activity. "Chronic stress has been shown to be associated with increased cardiovascular events," Schiffrin said.
Can anxiety cause blood vessels?
In the cardiovascular system, anxiety increases blood pressure, which causes tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), constriction of the blood vessels in the arms and legs, and dilation of the vessels surrounding the skeletal muscles.
Can overthinking cause stroke?
We all know that long-term stress isn't good for us. It can cause health issues such as insomnia and digestive issues, which many of us have experienced first-hand at some point. But can stress cause a stroke? The short answer is yes, research shows that stress is a major risk factor for stroke.
Can you grow new blood vessels?
The vessels are constructed all around the body, then join together to make the whole circulatory system. This activity is much slower in adulthood, but we never lose the ability to grow new blood vessels.
What supplements are good for blood vessels?
Vitamin B. This family of vitamins is among the most important to strengthen your blood vessels and thus, prevent vein issues or at least keep them at bay if they're already surfaced. For those who have a history of vein issues and blood clots in their family, vitamins B6 and B12 are particularly important.
Is Honey A vasodilator?
However, phenolic compounds present in honey are reportedly associated with improvement of coronary vasodilation, prevention of blood clots and protection of LDL-cholesterol from oxidation .
Is Coffee A vasodilator?
Abstract. Caffeine is a commonly used neurostimulant that also produces cerebral vasoconstriction by antagonizing adenosine receptors. Chronic caffeine use results in an adaptation of the vascular adenosine receptor system presumably to compensate for the vasoconstrictive effects of caffeine.
What are the 4 signs of aging?
Natural changes happen in the body as we age, such as skin damage from sun exposure, loss of muscle and physical strength, loss of some sight and hearing, as well as changes to our sleep patterns, energy levels and appetite.
What is the difference between ageing and aging?
In Canada and the U.S. , the preferred spelling is aging. British usage favours the variant ageing, which is also accepted in Canada. Kerry is researching the impact of an aging population on the health care system.
What are the five main part of cardiovascular system?
The cardiovascular system is sometimes called the blood-vascular, or simply the circulatory, system. It consists of the heart, which is a muscular pumping device, and a closed system of vessels called arteries, veins, and capillaries.
What is the main factor of aging?
Several factors are responsible for ageing: age, sleep, dietary habits, nutrition, physical activity, general health condition, emotional well-being, physical impairment, cultural factors, life events, social support, family well-being, financial resources, cognitive functioning, and diseases.
What is the main cause of aging?
Aging is likely caused by a combination of reasons. Some theories suggest cells have a predetermined lifespan, while others claim it's caused by error and damage. Other theories say that aging is due to genetic, evolution, or biochemical reactions.
What are the 2 main organs in the cardiovascular system?
Your heart and blood vessels, the parts of the cardiovascular system, are important because they bring oxygen, nutrients and other good things to every cell in your body. They also take away carbon dioxide and waste. This supply of nutrients and the removal of waste is the main function of the cardiovascular system.
What are the 7 factors of cardiovascular health?
In brief, the 7 cardiovascular health factors include smoking status, body weight, total cholesterol, blood glucose, physical activity, and diet. Each cardiovascular health factor was categorized into 3 groups (ideal, intermediate, poor).
What are the effects of cardiovascular disease?
Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure and chest discomfort (angina) Shortness of breath. Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper belly area or back. Pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in the legs or arms if the blood vessels in those body areas are narrowed.
What 3 things does aging affect?
Your bones, joints and muscles
With age, bones tend to shrink in size and density, weakening them and making them more susceptible to fracture. You might even become a bit shorter. Muscles generally lose strength, endurance and flexibility — factors that can affect your coordination, stability and balance.
What are 2 effects of aging?
Common health conditions associated with ageing
Common conditions in older age include hearing loss, cataracts and refractive errors, back and neck pain and osteoarthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, depression and dementia.
Can you restore blood vessels?
Vessel repair and reconstruction is a surgical procedure to restore the function of damaged blood vessels and help improve blood flow. Our surgeons have subspecialized training in microvascular techniques.
Can stress cause blood vessels?
They are primarily controlled by the sympathetic nervous system, which is the same system that reacts when we are stressed or upset emotionally. This explains why both cold and emotional stress can trigger vasoconstriction of these blood vessels, causing cold fingers and toes.
How do I improve my blood vessels?
Nitrate-rich foods like spinach may improve your circulation. These compounds help enlarge your blood vessels and create more room for blood to move through. Also, a study found that a diet rich in spinach helped keep arteries flexible and helped lower blood pressure.
What causes blood vessels to weaken?
Apart from fatty deposits, other causes of peripheral vascular disease include: Diabetes – high blood sugar damages and weakens blood vessels, causing them to narrow. Obstruction – a blood clot (thrombus) may lodge within the blood vessel. Infection – can cause scarring and narrowing of the blood vessels.
What causes blood vessels to change?
Vasodilation occurs naturally in your body in response to triggers such as low oxygen levels, a decrease in available nutrients, and increases in temperature. It causes the widening of your blood vessels, which in turn increases blood flow and lowers blood pressure.
What is one consequence of aging in the cardiovascular system?
Aging has a remarkable effect on the heart and arterial system, leading to an increase in CVD including atherosclerosis, hypertension, myocardial infarction, and stroke.
What are the 3 types of aging?
In broader terms, aging can be broken down into three distinct and often related categories: biological aging, psychological aging, and social aging.
What are the 4 types of aging?
As of October 2020, Snyder's team has identified four distinct ageotypes: metabolic agers, or people whose immune systems age fastest; immune agers; kidney (or “nephrotic”) agers; and liver (or “hepatic”) agers.
What is the main cardiovascular risk factors?
The Nation's Risk Factors and CDC's Response. Leading risk factors for heart disease and stroke are high blood pressure, high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, diabetes, smoking and secondhand smoke exposure, obesity, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity.
How is age a risk factor for cardiovascular disease?
Age is a major risk factor for CVD, since it represents an increased likelihood of the development of other additional risk factors, including obesity [19]. Obesity, as in diabetes, has been linked to persistent inflammation and oxidative stress [104,105,106,107].
What is cardiovascular aging?
Cardiovascular aging is a process of functional and structural changes in older adults which can progress to cardiovascular disease. Metabolomics profiling is an investigative tool that can track the diverse changes which occur in human biochemistry with physical activity and aging.
How does aging affect blood vessels?
The most common aging change is increased stiffness of the large arteries, called arteriosclerosis (ahr-teer-ee-o-skluh-roh-sis), or hardening of the arteries. This causes high blood pressure, or hypertension, which becomes more common as we age.
