Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, Via Roma, 67, 56100 Pisa, Italy.
Maturitas. 2010 Sep;67(1):20-4. doi: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2010.04.006. Epub 2010 May 8.
The endothelium plays a primary role in the modulation of vascular tone and structure, through production of the relaxing factor nitric oxide, which acts by protecting the vessel wall from the development of atherosclerosis and thrombosis. A dysfunctioning endothelium, characterized by reduced nitric oxide availability, can be a promoter of atherosclerosis. Ageing is a well-documented cardiovascular risk factor. One of the possible physiopathological mechanisms whereby increasing age may lead to cardiovascular damage is the promotion of endothelial dysfunction. In humans, age-related impairment in endothelium-dependent vasodilation has been well documented in different vascular districts and involves the impairment of nitric oxide activity secondary to oxidative stress generation. Regular physical training is an important non-pharmacological intervention which protects the vascular endothelium from ageing-related alterations and ameliorates the cardiovascular risk profile among the elderly population.
内皮细胞在调节血管张力和结构方面起着主要作用，通过产生舒张因子一氧化氮来实现，一氧化氮可以保护血管壁免受动脉粥样硬化和血栓形成的发展。功能失调的内皮细胞，其特征是一氧化氮供应减少，可能是动脉粥样硬化的促进因素。衰老 是一个有充分文献记载的心血管危险因素。随着年龄增长可能导致心血管损伤的可能生理病理机制之一是促进内皮功能障碍。在人类中，不同血管区域已有充分文献记载与年龄相关的内皮依赖性血管舒张功能障碍，涉及氧化应激产生导致的一氧化氮活性受损。定期体育锻炼是一种重要的非药物干预措施，可保护血管内皮免受与年龄相关的改变，并改善老年人群的心血管风险状况。
