Sex differences in the predictors of skeletal muscle microvascular reactivity in older individuals.
Abstract
Aging is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and vascular dysfunction. Reduced nitric oxide bioavailability is considered one of the key mechanisms underlying vascular dysfunction in large arteries of older adults. However, the relationship between cardiovascular disease risk factors, nitric oxide bioavailability, and skeletal muscle microvascular reactivity, an early hallmark in cardiovascular disease progression, is unclear in older individuals. Also uncertain is whether this relationship is influenced by sex. Therefore, this study assessed the association between cardiovascular disease risk factors, circulating markers of nitric oxide availability (plasma nitrate and nitrite), and skeletal muscle microvascular reactivity in older individuals. First, we confirmed in a cohort of young and older individuals that aging is associated with skeletal muscle microvascular dysfunction. Next, we observed that skeletal muscle microvascular reactivity (P = 0.653; η
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Research summary
The paper investigates the relationship between cardiovascular disease risk factors, nitric oxide bioavailability, and skeletal muscle microvascular reactivity in older individuals, which is pertinent to understanding vascular dysfunction associated with aging. However, while it addresses an important aspect of aging and cardiovascular health, the findings appear to be incremental rather than groundbreaking, limiting its overall impact on the field of longevity research.
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