Atrial natriuretic factor in the elderly: diminished response to epinephrine

1989 ◽  
Vol 257 (6) ◽  
pp. E866-E870 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Morrow ◽  
G. S. Morganroth ◽  
T. J. Hill ◽  
J. A. Sanfield ◽  
S. G. Rosen ◽  
...  

We have previously found that epinephrine (EPI) increases plasma immunoreactive atrial natriuretic factor (irANF) in young human subjects. Because elderly humans have decreased sensitivity to adrenergic stimulation, we compared plasma irANF responses to intravenous infusion of EPI, 5 micrograms/min for 80 min in six young (ages 20-29) and nine old (ages 62-75) healthy subjects. In addition, we measured plasma irANF responses of the nine old subjects to 1 liter of normal saline infused over 30 min. Young and old subjects had similar basal EPI levels [108 +/- 18 vs. 106 +/- 10 (SE) pg/ml], but basal irANF levels tended to be higher in the old (32 +/- 7 vs. 50 +/- 8 pmol/l, P = 0.15). The young subjects had a significant increase in irANF levels after the EPI infusion (32 +/- 7 vs. 59 +/- 11 pmol/l, P less than 0.02), but there was no change in irANF in the old (50 +/- 8 vs. 48 +/- 7 pmol/l) despite similar plasma EPI levels in young and old (1,125 +/- 57 vs. 1,183 +/- 52 pg/ml). In contrast, the irANF response of the old subjects to saline infusion was striking: all nine subjects demonstrated a rise in irANF (P less than 0.01); mean levels increased from 54 +/- 4 pmol/l to a peak of 122 +/- 23 pmol/l. We conclude that healthy elderly subjects have a defect in EPI-stimulated ANF secretion, a finding compatible with other evidence for diminished sensitivity to adrenergic stimulation in aging.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

2002 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard G. Mynark ◽  
David M. Koceja

The purpose of this study was to determine the ability of the elderly central nervous system to modulate spinal reflex output to functionally decrease a spinally induced balance perturbation. In this case, the soleus H reflex was used as the source of perturbation. Therefore, decreasing (down training) of the soleus H reflex was necessary to counteract this perturbation and to better maintain postural control. In addition to assessing the effect of this perturbation on the H reflex, static postural stability was measured to evaluate possible functional effects. Ten healthy young subjects (age: 27.0 ± 4.6 yr) and 10 healthy elderly subjects (age: 71.4 ± 5.1 yr) participated in this study. Subjects underwent balance perturbation on 2 consecutive days. On day 1 of perturbation, significant down training of the soleus H reflex was demonstrated in both young (−20.4%) and elderly (−18.7%) subjects. On day 2 of perturbation, significant down training of the soleus H reflex was again demonstrated in both young (−24.6%) and elderly (−21.0%) subjects. Analysis of static stability after the 2 days of balance perturbation revealed a significant 10.1% decrease in the area of sway in elderly subjects. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that healthy, elderly subjects compared with young subjects were equally capable of down training the soleus H reflex in response to a balance perturbation. Furthermore, the improvement in static stability through balance training may provide further evidence that balance can be retrained and rehabilitated in subjects with decreased reflex function.


1999 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-205
Author(s):  
L.L. Borger ◽  
S.L. Whitney ◽  
M.S. Redfern ◽  
J.M. Furman

Postural sway during stance has been found to be sensitive to moving visual scenes in young adults, children, and those with vestibular disease. The effect of visual environments on balance in elderly individuals is relatively unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare postural sway responses of healthy elderly to those of young subjects when both groups were exposed to a moving visual scene. Peak to peak, root mean squared, and mean velocity of the center of pressure were analyzed under conditions combining four moving scene amplitudes ( 2 . 5 ∘ , 5 ∘ , 7 . 5 ∘ , 10 ∘ ) and two frequencies of scene movement (0.1 Hz, 0.25 Hz). Each visual condition was tested with a fixed floor and sway referenced platform. Results showed that elderly subjects swayed more than younger subjects when experiencing a moving visual scene under all conditions. The elderly were affected more than the young by sway referencing the platform. The differences between the two age groups were greater at increased amplitudes of scene movement. These results suggest that elderly are more influenced by dynamic visual information for balance than the young, particularly when cues from the ankles are altered.


1989 ◽  
Vol 257 (1) ◽  
pp. H147-H156 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Lew ◽  
A. J. Baertschi

Potential mechanisms of hypoxia-induced atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) release [A.J. Baertschi, J.M. Adams, and M.P. Sullivan. Am. J. Physiol. 255 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 24): H295-H300, 1988] were investigated in Langendorff-perfused rat hearts. The ANF release was graded with stimulus intensity; 10 min of perfusion with Krebs-Henseleit solution equilibrated with 95, 20, 10, 5, and 0% oxygen led to peak ANF levels of 140 +/- 31 (SE), 202 +/- 20, 407 +/- 76, 659 +/- 119, and 516 +/- 83% of base-line ANF (159 +/- 14 pg/ml), respectively. Hypoxia-induced release of lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase did not correlate with ANF release; this finding, along with other experiments, rules out tissue damage as a significant factor. Phentolamine (1.3 microM) and propranolol (0.1 microM) each reduced peak hypoxia-induced (0% O2) ANF release to 333 and 310%, respectively, whereas atropine sulfate (15 microM) had no inhibitory effect. The three antagonists combined reduced the peak hypoxia-induced ANF release to the same extent (307%) as either phentolamine or propranolol alone. Earlier (24 h) catecholamine depletion of rats with 100 mg/kg 6-hydroxydopamine also significantly reduced peak hypoxia-induced ANF release to 330%. Neither the reduction of the ANF secretory responses by these interventions nor the remaining ANF response could be attributed to changes in atrial mechanics. Therefore, these studies demonstrate that alpha- and beta-adrenergic stimulation is responsible for approximately half the hypoxia-induced ANF release from the isolated heart, whereas an as yet undefined mechanism accounts for the remainder of the response.


1994 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Ford ◽  
O. F. W. James

1. Cardiac chronotropic responses to isoprenaline are reduced with ageing in man. It is unclear whether this is due to reduced cardiac β-adrenergic sensitivity or to age-associated differences in reflex cardiovascular responses to the vasodilatory effects of isoprenaline. Age-associated changes in physical activity are also reported to influence β-adrenergic sensitivity. 2. The aim of the present study was to determine the contribution of alterations in reflex changes in parasympathetic and sympathetic influences and physical fitness to the age-associated reduction in cardiac chronotropic responses to β-adrenergic agonists. 3. The effect of ‘autonomic blockade’ with atropine (40 μg/kg intravenously) and clonidine (4 μg/kg intravenously) on blood pressure, heart rate and chronotropic responses to intravenous bolus isoprenaline doses was determined in eight healthy young (mean age 21 years), nine healthy elderly (72 years) and 10 endurance-trained elderly (69 years) subjects. 4. Elderly subjects had a reduced increase in heart rate after atropine (young, 49 ± 9 beats/min; elderly, 36 ± 5 beats/min; endurance-trained elderly, 34 ± 12 beats/min; P < 0.01) and did not demonstrate the transient increase in systolic blood pressure after clonidine observed in young subjects (young, 11 ± 10 mmHg; elderly, −12 ± 16 mmHg; endurance-trained elderly, −18 ± 11 mmHg; P < 0.01). 5. Cardiac chronotropic sensitivity to isoprenaline after ‘autonomic blockade’ increased in the young but decreased in the elderly subjects. The isoprenaline dose that increased heart rate by 25 beats/min before and after autonomic blockade' was: young, before 1.6 μg, after 2.8 μg, P < 0.01 (geometric mean, paired test); elderly, before 6.9 μg, after 3.6 μg, P < 0.05; endurance-trained elderly, before 5.9 μg, after 4.0 μg, P < 0.05. Cardiac chronotropic sensitivity to isoprenaline was significantly reduced in elderly compared with young subjects before (P < 0.01) but was similar after (P = 0.09) ‘autonomic blockade’. Chronotropic sensitivity did not differ between healthy and endurance-trained elderly subjects before or after ‘autonomic blockade’. 6. The age-associated reduction in cardiac chronotropic responses to bolus isoprenaline is primarily due to an age-related reduction in the influence of reflex cardiovascular responses on heart rate and not to an age-related reduction in cardiac β-adrenergic sensitivity. Endurance training is not associated with altered β-adrenergic chronotropic sensitivity in the elderly. The transient pressor response to intravenously administered clonidine may be lost in ageing man.


2015 ◽  
Vol 115 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Moinard ◽  
J. Maccario ◽  
S. Walrand ◽  
V. Lasserre ◽  
J. Marc ◽  
...  

AbstractArginine (ARG) and its precursor citrulline (CIT) are popular dietary supplements, especially for the elderly. However, age-related reductions in lean body mass and alterations in organ functions could change their bioavailability. Pharmacokinetics and tolerance to amino acid (AA) loads are poorly documented in elderly subjects. The objective here was to characterise the plasma kinetics of CIT and ARG in a single-dosing study design. Eight fasting elderly men underwent two separate isomolar oral loading tests (10 g of CIT or 9·94 g of ARG). Blood was withdrawn over an 8-h period to measure plasma AA concentrations. Only CIT, ornithine and ARG plasma concentrations were changed. Volume of distribution was not dependent on AA administered. Conversely, parameters related to ARG kinetics were strongly dependent on AA administered: after ARG load, elimination was higher (ARG>CIT; P=0·041) and admission period+time at peak concentration was lower (ARG<CIT; P=0·033), and the combination of both phenomena results in a marked increase in ARG availability when CIT was administered (ARG<CIT; P=0·033) compared with ARG administration itself. In conclusion, a single CIT administration in the elderly is safe and well tolerated, and CIT proves to be a better in vivo ARG precursor than ARG itself in healthy elderly subjects.


2017 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. ZIAALDINI ◽  
S. R. A. HOSSEINI ◽  
M. FATHI

The aging process is associated with a decline in mitochondrial functions. Mitochondria dysfunction is involved in initiation and progression of many health problems including neuromuscular, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. It is well known that endurance exercise improves mitochondrial function, especially in the elderly. However, recent studies have demonstrated that resistance training lead also to substantial increases in mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle. A comprehensive understanding of the cellular mechanisms involved in the skeletal muscle mitochondrial adaptations to exercise training in healthy elderly subjects, can help practitioners to design and prescribe more effective exercise trainings.


1995 ◽  
Vol 41 (11) ◽  
pp. 1628-1632 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Schmuck ◽  
C J Fuller ◽  
S Devaraj ◽  
I Jialal

Abstract According to the Adult Treatment Panel of the National Cholesterol Education Program, age is a major risk factor for heart disease. To assess the relation between age and LDL oxidizability, we studied copper-mediated LDL oxidation in 13 healthy elderly subjects (&gt; 59 years) and 13 sex-matched healthy young controls (&lt; 30 years). Total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were increased in elderly subjects. The time course of copper-mediated LDL oxidation showed no significant differences between the two groups as assessed by formation of conjugated dienes, lipid peroxides, and apolipoprotein B fluorescence. Kinetics of LDL oxidation as quantified by lag time, oxidation rate, and maximal oxidation were not significantly different between the elderly and young groups. Although the concentrations of 16:0, 18:0, 18:1, 18:3, and 20:4 and total polyunsaturated fatty acids were significantly higher in the elderly group, LDL fatty acid concentrations were similar in both groups. Lipid-standardized alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, and ascorbate concentrations were not significantly different between the two groups. The findings of the present study suggest that in the healthy elderly, LDL oxidation may not be a crucial mediator for atherogenesis.


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