Vascular Responses to Acute Induced Inflammation with Aging: Does Fitness Matter

Background: Aging is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation and altered vascular function. However, the impact of acute inflammation on vascular responses in older adults and the potential modulating effect of physical fitness remain unclear. Objectives: This review examines the current evidence on vascular responses to acute induced inflammation in aging populations, with a particular focus on the role of cardiorespiratory fitness. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases for articles published between ۲۰۱۰ and ۲۰۲۴. Search terms included combinations of 'vascular function,' 'acute inflammation,' 'aging,' 'physical fitness,' and 'endothelial function.' Inclusion criteria were studies investigating vascular responses to experimentally induced acute inflammation in older adults and those examining the influence of fitness levels on these responses. The quality of included studies was assessed using standardized tools, and a narrative synthesis approach was used to summarize findings. Results: It was identified that acute inflammation, typically induced through vaccination or low-dose endotoxin administration, leads to transient impairments in vascular function in both young and older adults. However, older adults generally exhibited more pronounced and prolonged vascular dysfunction in response to inflammatory stimuli. This age-related difference was characterized by greater reductions in flow-mediated dilation, increased arterial stiffness, and prolonged recovery times. Importantly, studies examining the role of fitness suggested that higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness were associated with attenuated vascular responses to acute inflammation in older adults. Physically fit older individuals demonstrated better preservation of endothelial function and reduced markers of oxidative stress following inflammatory challenges compared to their less fit counterparts. Conclusion: Aging appears to exacerbate vascular dysfunction in response to acute inflammation, potentially contributing to increased cardiovascular risk in older populations. However, higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness may provide a protective effect against inflammation-induced vascular impairments in older adults. These findings highlight the potential importance of maintaining physical fitness in older age as a strategy to enhance vascular resilience to inflammatory insults. Future research should focus on elucidating the mechanisms underlying this protective effect and exploring whether exercise interventions can improve vascular responses to inflammation in previously sedentary older adults.

کلیدواژه ها:

Vascular function ، acute inflammation ، aging ، physical fitness ، endothelial function ، arterial stiffness ، cardiovascular risk