Enhanced endothelial vasoreactivity in endurance-trained older men.
Using external vascular ultrasound, we measured brachial artery diameter (Diam) at rest, after release of 4 min of limb ischemia, i. e., endothelium-dependent dilation (EDD), and after sublingual nitroglycerin, i.e., non-endothelium-dependent dilation (NonEDD), in 35 healthy men aged 61-83 yr: 12 endurance athletes (A) and 23 controls (C). As anticipated, treadmill exercise maximal oxygen consumption (VO(2 max)) was significantly higher in A than in C (40. 2 +/- 6.6 vs. 27.9 +/- 3.8 ml. kg(-1). min(-1); respectively, P < 0. 0001). With regard to arterial physiology, A had greater EDD (8.9 +/- 4.2 vs. 5.7 +/- 3.5%; P = 0.02) and a tendency for higher NonEDD (13.9 +/- 6.7 vs. 9.7 +/- 4.2%; P = 0.07) compared with C. By multiple linear regression analysis in the combined sample of older men, only baseline Diam (beta = -2.0, where beta is the regression coefficient; P = 0.005) and VO(2 max) (beta = 0.23; P = 0.003) were independent predictors of EDD; similarly, only Diam (beta = -4.0; P = 0.003) and VO(2 max) (beta = 0.27; P = 0.01) predicted NonEDD. Thus endurance-trained older men demonstrate both augmented EDD and NonEDD, consistent with a generalized enhanced vasodilator responsiveness, compared with their sedentary age peers.
Rywik
T M
TM
Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, Gerontology Research Center, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA.
Blackman
M R
MR
Yataco
A R
AR
Vaitkevicius
P V
PV
Zink
R C
RC
Cottrell
E H
EH
Wright
J G
JG
Katzel
L I
LI
Fleg
J L
JL
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010807:Physical Endurance; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology; D014666:Vasomotor System / Q000502:physiology*