Change of endothelial function with aging

Vascular endothelium plays important roles in vascular relaxing, anti-atherosclerotic, or anti-thrombotic effect through production of vasoactive substances such as nitric oxide. Accumulated evidences suggest that endothelial dysfunction is the initial step in the development of atherosclerosis. Recently, less invasive or non-invasive method such as venous occlusion plethysmography and measurement of flow-mediated dilatation has been developed to evaluate endothelial function. Several investigations using these methods showed that endothelial function is impaired with aging. The mechanism of endothelial dysfunction with aging remains to be fully elucidated, although oxidative stress may be involved in impairment of endothelial function.