Alanine mutation of the targeting subunit of the myosin phosphatase, MYPT1 at threonine 696 reduces cGMP responsiveness of mouse femoral arteries.

The femoral artery (FA) is the largest vessel in the hindlimb circulation and its proper tone regulation ensures adequate blood supply to muscle tissue. We investigated whether an alanine mutation of the targeting subunit of myosin-light-chain-phosphatase (MLCP), MYPT1, at threonine 696 (MYPT1-T696A/+), decisive for enzyme acivity, affects the responsiveness of young and old FAs (y-FAs and o-FAs) to activation of nitric-oxide/soluble-guanylate-cyclase/protein-kinase-G cascade (NO/sGC/PKG). Contractile responses of the vessels were measured by wire myography.

SIRT-associated attenuation of cellular senescence in vascular wall.

This review focuses on the vital function that SIRT1 and other sirtuins play in promoting cellular senescence in vascular smooth muscle cells, which is a key element in the pathogenesis of vascular aging and associated cardiovascular diseases. Vascular aging is a gradual process caused by the accumulation of senescent cells, which results in increased vascular remodeling, stiffness, and diminished angiogenic ability. Such physiological alterations are characterized by a complex interplay of environmental and genetic variables, including oxidative stress and telomere attrition, which affect gene expression patterns and trigger cell growth arrest.

Leukocyte telomere length and mitochondrial DNA copy number associate with endothelial function in aging-related cardiovascular disease.

Background: We investigated the association between leukocyte telomere length, mitochondrial DNA copy number, and endothelial function in patients with aging-related cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods: In total 430 patients with CVD and healthy persons were enrolled in the current study. Peripheral blood was drawn by routine venipuncture procedure.

Oxidative Stress, Reductive Stress and Antioxidants in Vascular Pathogenesis and Aging.

This review is focused on the mechanisms that regulate health, disease and aging redox status, the signal pathways that counteract oxidative and reductive stress, the role of food components and additives with antioxidant properties (curcumin, polyphenols, vitamins, carotenoids, flavonoids, etc.), and the role of the hormones irisin and melatonin in the redox homeostasis of animal and human cells. The correlations between the deviation from optimal redox conditions and inflammation, allergic, aging and autoimmune responses are discussed.

ROK and RSK2-kinase pathways differ between senescent human renal and mesenteric arteries.

Objective: Small arteries from different organs vary with regard to the mechanisms that regulate vasoconstriction. This study investigated the impact of advanced age on the regulation of vasoconstriction in isolated human small arteries from kidney cortex and periintestinal mesenteric tissue.

Methods: Renal and mesenteric tissues were obtained from patients (mean age 71 ± 9 years) undergoing elective surgery.