Altered mechanisms of vasodilation in aged human skin.
Human skin blood flow increases in response to increased body core and local skin temperature via distinct reflex and local mechanisms requiring functional nitric oxide (NO) for full expression. The mechanisms mediating cutaneous vasodilation are impaired with primary aging, resulting in attenuated vasodilation. This article highlights recent findings of how age-related vascular impairments in NO signaling contribute to attenuated cutaneous vasodilation.
Holowatz
Lacy A
LA
Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, Noll Laboratory, University Park, PA 16802, USA. lma191@psu.edu
Thompson-Torgerson
Caitlin S
CS
Kenney
W Larry
WL
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply*; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology*
D009569:Nitric Oxide