Age- and sex-dependent alteration of functions and epigenetic modifications of vessel and endothelium related biomarkers

Authors : Sevtap HAN, Muammer Merve AYDIN, Serdar AKANSEL, Suzan Emel USANMAZ, Can AKÇALI, Mecit Orhan ULUDAĞ, Emine DEMİREL YILMAZ

Pages : 286-296

View : 20 | Download : 7

Publication Date : 2018-12-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aging is a main risk factor for development of cardiovascular diseases associated with the impairment of endothelial function in both sexes. In the present study, age-related changes in vascular responsiveness, epigenetic modifications of vessel wall, and blood biomarkers related to endothelial functions were examined in an age- and sex-dependent manner. Acetylcholine insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ACh);-induced relaxations of the aorta were decreased in 3-, 6-, and 12-month-old rats compared to those in 1-month-old female rats. In males, maximum relaxations related to ACh were higher in 1- and 6-month-old rats than in 3- and 12-month-old rats. Plasma levels of nitric oxide insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(NO); and asymmetric dimethylarginine insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ADMA); decreased with age in female rats, and total antioxidant capacity insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(TAC); and hydrogen sulfide insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(H2S); levels displayed biphasic alterations. In male rats, plasma levels of NO, TAC, and ADMA decreased with age, and H 2 S levels increased. Aging also caused a sex-dependent alteration in epigenetic modification of vessels. Expressions of H3K27me2, H3K27me3, H3K36me2, and H3K36me3 were much higher in vessels of 12-month-old female rats compared to those in younger age groups. These results indicate that vascular functions, epigenetic modifications of vessels, and plasma levels of endothelium-related biomarkers are affected by age and sex. These findings could be important for the assessment of vascular status over the course of the life span.
Keywords : Aging, endothelial function, biomarker, histone methylation