Mediterranean nutraceutical foods: Strategy to improve vascular ageing. (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Accardi, Giulia; Aiello, Anna; Gambino, Caterina Maria; Virruso, Claudia; Caruso, Calogero; Candore, Giuseppina
• Is Part Of: Mechanisms of ageing and development. Volume 159(2016)
• Page Start: 63
• Page End: 70
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: Vascular ageing -- Endothelial progenitor cells -- Inflammageing -- Nutraceuticals; Aging -- Periodicals; Developmental biology -- Periodicals; Aging -- Periodicals; Developmental Biology -- Periodicals; Vieillissement -- Périodiques; Biologie du développement -- Périodiques; Aging; Developmental biology; Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2016.02.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0047-6374

Abstract

Highlights: Inflammation and oxidative stress play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction. EPCs play an important role in neo-angiogenesis and endothelial repair. EPCs seem to be influenced by nutraceuticals present in Mediterranean diet. It is possible to modulate the number and the functional activity of EPCs by nutritional therapy. Abstract: Ageing is characterized by a decline in all systemic functions. A greater susceptibility to apoptosis and senescence may contribute to proliferative and functional impairment of endothelial progenitor cells. They play an important role in neo-angiogenesis and endothelial repair. Vascular ageing is associated with changes in the structure and functions of vessels' wall. There are many possible causes of this damage. For sure, inflammation and oxidative stress play a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction, commonly attributed to a reduced availability of nitric oxide. Inflammageing, the chronic low-grade inflammation that characterizes elderly people, aggravates vascular pathology and provokes atherosclerosis, the major cardiovascular disease. Nutraceutical and molecular biology represent new insights in this field. In fact, the first could represent a possible treatment in the prevention or delay of vascular ageing; the second could offer new possible targets for potential therapeutic interventions. In this review, we pay attention on the causes of vascular ageing and on the effects of nutraceuticals on it.