Potentiation of the age-dependent Ca uptake into coronary arteries of rats by the risk factor genetic hypertension.

Abstract

The relationship between arterial calcification and the loss of elasticity and contractility in biological ageing is well established (1–3). Moreover, a progressive mural calcium (Ca) incorporation appears to be an underdying feature of most arteriosclerotic processes known to produce finally mural stiffness and to threaten tissue O2 supply. Interestingly, in various types of experimental and human arteriosclerosis, an initial increase in the mural Ca uptake may already characterize the early lesions (4; 5). It was the aim of the present investigations to study in rats the influences of age and genetic hypertension — an important risk factor of arteriosclerosis — on the Ca incorporation into coronary arteries.