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Review
. 2018 Jun 10:2018:7156435.
doi: 10.1155/2018/7156435. eCollection 2018.

Aging-Induced Biological Changes and Cardiovascular Diseases

James Oluwagbamigbe Fajemiroye  1   2   3 , Luiz Carlos da Cunha  2 , Roberto Saavedra-Rodríguez  4 , Karla Lima Rodrigues  1 , Lara Marques Naves  1 , Aline Andrade Mourão  1 , Elaine Fernanda da Silva  1 , Nabofa Enivwenaye Egide Williams  5 , José Luis Rodrigues Martins  3 , Romes Bittencourt Sousa  1 , Ana Cristina Silva Rebelo  1 , Angela Adamsk da Silva Reis  1 , Rodrigo da Silva Santos  6 , Marcos Luiz Ferreira-Neto  7 , Gustavo Rodrigues Pedrino  1
Affiliations
Review

Aging-Induced Biological Changes and Cardiovascular Diseases

James Oluwagbamigbe Fajemiroye et al. Biomed Res Int. .

Abstract

Aging is characterized by functional decline in homeostatic regulation and vital cellular events. This process can be linked with the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In this review, we discussed aging-induced biological alterations that are associated with CVDs through the following aspects: (i) structural, biochemical, and functional modifications; (ii) autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysregulation; (iii) epigenetic alterations; and (iv) atherosclerosis and stroke development. Aging-mediated structural and biochemical modifications coupled with gradual loss of ANS regulation, vascular stiffening, and deposition of collagen and calcium often disrupt cardiovascular system homeostasis. The structural and biochemical adjustments have been consistently implicated in the progressive increase in mechanical burden and functional breakdown of the heart and vessels. In addition, cardiomyocyte loss in this process often reduces adaptive capacity and cardiovascular function. The accumulation of epigenetic changes also plays important roles in the development of CVDs. In summary, the understanding of the aging-mediated changes remains promising towards effective diagnosis, discovery of new drug targets, and development of new therapies for the treatment of CVDs.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Aging processes, prevalence of aging-related diseases, and some selected cardiovascular diseases.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Summary of the complex alterations in aging-induced cardiovascular diseases.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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