From the Human Cardiovascular Research Laboratory, Center for Physical
Activity, Disease Prevention, and Aging, Department of Kinesiology, University
of Colorado at Boulder (K.P.D., D.R.S., H.T.), and the Department of Medicine,
Divisions of Cardiology and Geriatric Medicine and Center on Aging, University
of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver (D.R.S.), Colo.
Correspondence to Kevin P. Davy, PhD, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, Colorado State University, 212C Moby Complex, Fort Collins, CO 80523. E-mail davy{at}cahs.colostate.edu
Abstract—Based on observations of
smaller increases in limb vascular resistance during acute incremental
hypovolemia in older adults, cardiopulmonary and integrative
(combined cardiopulmonary and arterial) baroreflex
control of sympatho-circulatory function is thought to be impaired with
aging in humans. We tested this hypothesis directly by making
intraneural measurements of skeletal muscle sympathetic nerve activity
(MSNA; peroneal microneurography) in groups of young (23±1 years;
n=11) and older (64±1 years; n=12) healthy adult men during
progressive hypovolemia produced by graded (-5 to -40 mm Hg)
lower body negative pressure (LBNP). Baseline levels of MSNA and
arterial blood pressure were higher and heart rate was
lower in the older subjects (P<0.05). Lower levels of
LBNP (-5 to -20 mm Hg) did not affect arterial
blood pressure or heart rate in either group; systolic and
pulse pressures declined during higher levels of LBNP (-30 and
-40 mm Hg) but only in the young subjects
(P<0.05). Graded LBNP evoked progressive, linear
reductions in peripheral venous pressure (PVP) and
increases in MSNA, plasma norepinephrine concentration
(PNE), and forearm vascular resistance (FVR) in both groups (all
P<0.05).
© 1998 American Heart Association, Inc.
Scientific Contributions
Augmented Cardiopulmonary and Integrative Sympathetic Baroreflexes but Attenuated Peripheral Vasoconstriction With Age
MSNA/PVP was 
150% greater in the
older versus young men during both lower and higher levels of
hypovolemia (P<0.01); however, FVR/PVP was
50% smaller in the older men (P<0.05). There was no
difference in the MSNA-PNE relation with age, but FVR/MSNA was
65% to 70% smaller in the older subjects (P<0.05).
Our findings indicate that cardiopulmonary and integrative
baroreflex control of central sympathetic outflow during hypovolemia is
augmented, not impaired, with age in healthy humans. However, the
reflex-mediated increases in limb vascular resistance during
hypovolemia are smaller in older adults because of attenuated
vasoconstrictor responsiveness to sympathetic stimulation.
Key Words: hypovolemia • aging • blood pressure
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  M. Lindenberger, H. Olsen, and T. Lanne Lower capacitance response and capillary fluid absorption in women to defend central blood volume in response to acute hypovolemic circulatory stress Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, August 1, 2008; 295(2): H867 - H873. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E. G. Smith, W. F. Voyles, B. S. Kirby, R. R. Markwald, and F. A. Dinenno Ageing and leg postjunctional {alpha}-adrenergic vasoconstrictor responsiveness in healthy men J. Physiol., July 1, 2007; 582(1): 63 - 71. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. L. Gentile, J. S. Orr, B. M. Davy, and K. P. Davy Modest weight gain is associated with sympathetic neural activation in nonobese humans Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, May 1, 2007; 292(5): R1834 - R1838. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. J. Galban, S. Maderwald, F. Stock, and M. E. Ladd Age-Related Changes in Skeletal Muscle as Detected by Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., April 1, 2007; 62(4): 453 - 458. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. J. Donato, L. A. Lesniewski, and M. D. Delp Ageing and exercise training alter adrenergic vasomotor responses of rat skeletal muscle arterioles J. Physiol., February 15, 2007; 579(1): 115 - 125. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. Charkoudian, M. J. Joyner, L. A. Sokolnicki, C. P. Johnson, J. H. Eisenach, N. M. Dietz, T. B. Curry, and B. G. Wallin Vascular adrenergic responsiveness is inversely related to tonic activity of sympathetic vasoconstrictor nerves in humans J. Physiol., May 1, 2006; 572(3): 821 - 827. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. J. Donato, A. Uberoi, D. W. Wray, S. Nishiyama, L. Lawrenson, and R. S. Richardson Differential effects of aging on limb blood flow in humans Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, January 1, 2006; 290(1): H272 - H278. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 H. Guo, F. Schaller, N. Tierney, S. A. Smith, and X. Shi New Insight into the Mechanism of Cardiovascular Dysfunction in the Elderly: Transfer Function Analysis Experimental Biology and Medicine, September 1, 2005; 230(8): 549 - 557. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
F. A Dinenno, S. Masuki, and M. J Joyner Impaired modulation of sympathetic {alpha}-adrenergic vasoconstriction in contracting forearm muscle of ageing men J. Physiol., August 15, 2005; 567(1): 311 - 321. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. Sakima, D. B. Averill, P. E. Gallagher, S. O. Kasper, E. N. Tommasi, C. M. Ferrario, and D. I. Diz Impaired Heart Rate Baroreflex in Older Rats: Role of Endogenous Angiotensin-(1-7) at the Nucleus Tractus Solitarii Hypertension, August 1, 2005; 46(2): 333 - 340. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
F. C. de Carvalho, F. M. Consolim-Colombo, C. A. Pastore, M. C. Rubira, J. C. Meneguetti, E. M. Krieger, and M. Wajngarten Acute reduction of ventricular volume decreases QT interval dispersion in elderly subjects with and without heart failure Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, May 1, 2005; 288(5): H2171 - H2176. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. J Fadel, Z. Wang, H. Watanabe, D. Arbique, W. Vongpatanasin, and G. D Thomas Augmented sympathetic vasoconstriction in exercising forearms of postmenopausal women is reversed by oestrogen therapy J. Physiol., December 15, 2004; 561(3): 893 - 901. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. R. Seals and F. A. Dinenno Collateral damage: cardiovascular consequences of chronic sympathetic activation with human aging Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, November 1, 2004; 287(5): H1895 - H1905. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. P. Hernandez and W. D. Franke Age- and fitness-related differences in limb venous compliance do not affect tolerance to maximal lower body negative pressure in men and women J Appl Physiol, September 1, 2004; 97(3): 925 - 929. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Q. Fu, A. Arbab-Zadeh, M. A. Perhonen, R. Zhang, J. H. Zuckerman, and B. D. Levine Hemodynamics of orthostatic intolerance: implications for gender differences Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, January 1, 2004; 286(1): H449 - H457. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. U. Ferrari, A. Radaelli, and M. Centola Invited Review: Aging and the cardiovascular system J Appl Physiol, December 1, 2003; 95(6): 2591 - 2597. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. N. Proctor, S. C. Newcomer, D. W. Koch, K. U. Le, D. A. MacLean, and U. A. Leuenberger Leg blood flow during submaximal cycle ergometry is not reduced in healthy older normally active men J Appl Physiol, May 1, 2003; 94(5): 1859 - 1869. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 P. P. Jones, D. D. Christou, J. Jordan, and D. R. Seals Baroreflex Buffering Is Reduced With Age in Healthy Men Circulation, April 8, 2003; 107(13): 1770 - 1774. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. E. Alvarez, S. D. Beske, T. P. Ballard, and K. P. Davy Sympathetic Neural Activation in Visceral Obesity Circulation, November 12, 2002; 106(20): 2533 - 2536. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. D. Monahan and C. A. Ray Vestibulosympathetic reflex during orthostatic challenge in aging humans Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, November 1, 2002; 283(5): R1027 - R1032. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
F. A. Dinenno, N. M. Dietz, and M. J. Joyner Aging and Forearm Postjunctional {alpha}-Adrenergic Vasoconstriction in Healthy Men Circulation, September 10, 2002; 106(11): 1349 - 1354. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. S. Olufsen, A. Nadim, and L. A. Lipsitz Dynamics of cerebral blood flow regulation explained using a lumped parameter model Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, February 1, 2002; 282(2): R611 - R622. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. P. Jones, L. F. Shapiro, G. A. Keisling, J. Jordan, J. R. Shannon, R. A. Quaife, and D. R. Seals Altered Autonomic Support of Arterial Blood Pressure With Age in Healthy Men Circulation, November 13, 2001; 104(20): 2424 - 2429. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. Narayanan, J. J. Collins, J. Hamner, S. Mukai, and L. A. Lipsitz Predicting cerebral blood flow response to orthostatic stress from resting dynamics: effects of healthy aging Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, September 1, 2001; 281(3): R716 - R722. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. D. Monahan, F. A. Dinenno, D. R. Seals, and J. R. Halliwill Smaller age-associated reductions in leg venous compliance in endurance exercise-trained men Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, September 1, 2001; 281(3): H1267 - H1273. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. D. Torp, M. E. Tschakovsky, J. R. Halliwill, C. T. Minson, and M. J. Joyner {beta}-Receptor agonist activity of phenylephrine in the human forearm J Appl Physiol, May 1, 2001; 90(5): 1855 - 1859. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
X. Shi, D. W. Wray, K. J. Formes, H.-W. Wang, P. M. Hayes, A. H. O-Yurvati, M. S. Weiss, and I. P. Reese Orthostatic hypotension in aging humans Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, October 1, 2000; 279(4): H1548 - H1554. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. S. Oberman, M. M. Gagnon, D. K. Kiely, J. C. Nelson, and L. A. Lipsitz Autonomic and Neurohumoral Control of Postprandial Blood Pressure in Healthy Aging J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., August 1, 2000; 55(8): 477M - 483. [Abstract] [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 L. A. Lipsitz, S. Mukai, J. Hamner, M. Gagnon, and V. Babikian Dynamic Regulation of Middle Cerebral Artery Blood Flow Velocity in Aging and Hypertension Stroke, August 1, 2000; 31(8): 1897 - 1903. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Olsen, E. Vernersson, and T. Lanne Cardiovascular response to acute hypovolemia in relation to age. Implications for orthostasis and hemorrhage Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, January 1, 2000; 278(1): H222 - H232. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
F. A. Dinenno, P. P. Jones, D. R. Seals, and H. Tanaka Limb Blood Flow and Vascular Conductance Are Reduced With Age in Healthy Humans : Relation to Elevations in Sympathetic Nerve Activity and Declines in Oxygen Demand Circulation, July 13, 1999; 100(2): 164 - 170. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. P. Davy, H. Tanaka, E. A. Andros, J. G. Gerber, and D. R. Seals Influence of age on arterial baroreflex inhibition of sympathetic nerve activity in healthy adult humans Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, November 1, 1998; 275(5): H1768 - H1772. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Muller-Delp, S. A. Spier, M. W. Ramsey, L. A. Lesniewski, A. Papadopoulos, J. D. Humphrey, and M. D. Delp Effects of aging on vasoconstrictor and mechanical properties of rat skeletal muscle arterioles Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, May 1, 2002; 282(5): H1843 - H1854. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. A. Ray and K. D. Monahan Aging Attenuates the Vestibulosympathetic Reflex in Humans Circulation, February 26, 2002; 105(8): 956 - 961. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|