Physical activity may drive healthy microvascular ageing via downregulation of p66Shc

• Published in: European journal of preventive cardiology 2020-01, Vol.27 (2), p.168-176
• Main Authors: Streese, Lukas, Khan, Abdul W, Deiseroth, Arne, Hussain, Shafaat, Suades, Rosa, Tiaden, Andre, Kyburz, Diego, Hanssen, Henner, Cosentino, Francesco
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Medicin och hälsovetenskap
• ISSN: 2047-4873; 2047-4881; 2047-4881
• DOI: 10.1177/2047487319880367

Background Narrower retinal arterioles and wider venules are linked to adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The mitochondrial adaptor p66Shc is a major source of ageing-induced generation of reactive oxygen species. Promoter DNA methylation inhibits p66Shc gene transcription. This cross-sectional study was designed to investigate the link between physical activity, retinal vessel diameters and p66Shc expression in active and sedentary ageing subjects. Design/methods Altogether 158 subjects were included in the study (mean age 59.4 ± 7.0 years). Thirty-eight subjects were healthy active, 36 were healthy sedentary and 84 were sedentary with ≥2 cardiovascular risk factors. Retinal arteriolar and venular diameters were measured by means of a retinal vessel analyser. As a marker of oxidative stress, plasma 3-nitrotyrosine was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Gene expression of p66Shc and DNA methylation were assessed in mononuclear cells by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and methylated-DNA capture (MethylMiner Enrichment kit) coupled with quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Results Wider retinal arterioles (179 ± 14 vs 172 ± 11 and 171 ± 14 µm; p