Characterization of vascular responses and perivascular adipose tissue function in the SAMP8 aging model

• Grant number: 17/12181-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2017
• End date: July 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Cardiorenal Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Eliana Hiromi Akamine
• Grantee: Vanessa de Paula Miyoshi
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Diseases associated with aging have a great socioeconomic impact, with cardiovascular diseases being the main causes of death among the elderly population. With advancing age, functional, structural and mechanical changes of the vascular system occur. In spite of other factors, the signaling promoted by nitric oxide (NO) is essential for the maintenance of vascular homeostasis during aging. Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is found around most blood vessels and regulates vascular functions, releasing substances, such as NO, that act in a paracrine manner. Thus, dysfunction of PVAT, as well as endothelial dysfunction, could be a condition associated with cardiovascular diseases. Although several aspects of vascular changes that occur with aging have already been characterized, aspects of PVAT are still poorly understood in aging. SAMP8 mice are useful for understanding the processes that occur with advancing age, because aging occurs spontaneously accelerated in these animals. However, vascular changes according to age were only characterized in females of SAMP8 mice and the function of PVAT has not yet been characterized in this model. The aim of the present study is to characterize the endothelium-dependent relaxation, contractile response and the function of PVAT of thoracic aorta of males of SAMP8 mice at 03, 06 and 08 months of age. In addition, we will characterize the participation of NO in the anti-constricting action of PVAT of the thoracic aorta with the advancing age. (AU)