title: Endothelial dysfunction and aging: an update.
abstract: Aging is an important risk factor for the development of many cardiovascular diseases as atherosclerosis and hypertension with a common underlying circumstance: the progressive decline of endothelial function. Vascular endothelial dysfunction occurs during the human aging process and is accompanied by deterioration in the balance between vasodilator and vasoconstriction substances produced by the endothelium. This imbalance is mainly characterized by a progressive reduction of the bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) and an increase in the production of cyclooxygenase (COX)-derived vasoconstrictor factors. Both circumstances are in turn related to an increased production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. The aim of this review is to describe the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the endothelial function declination that accompanies the multifactorial aging process, including alterations related to oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines, senescence of endothelial cells and genetic factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Seville, C/Profesor García González 2, 41012 Seville, Spain. mdherrera@us.es
authors.forename: María Dolores
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Herrera
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mingorance
authors.forename: Rosalía
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Rodríguez
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alvarez de Sotomayor
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016922:Cellular Senescence / Q000502:physiology; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / Q000378:metabolism; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000502:physiology; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; D011451:Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases