Preclinical Atherosclerosis is Widespread in 50+ Year Old People

Atherosclerosis is the growth of fatty, inflamed deposits in blood vessel walls, narrowing and weakening them. It results from processes that are universal, present in every older individual. The oxidative stress and inflammation of aging lead to a raised amount of oxidized lipids and lipid carriers such as LDL particles, and these produce a growing dysfunction in the macrophage cells responsible for clearing unwanted lipids from blood vessel tissue. It is not surprising to see the data presented in today's research materials, showing that near half of older adults in their 50s and 60s age have measurable atherosclerotic lesions in their blood vessels despite exhibiting no clinical symptoms. This is consistent with past studies using imaging to determine the burden of atherosclerosis in large patient populations. Those lesions grow over time to kill at least 25% every older person via stroke, heart attack, or other cardiovascular disease. A way to reverse atherosclerotic lesions is desperately needed, but the research and development of new therapies remains near entirely focused on lowering of LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream, an approach that can only slow the condition, and is incapable of producing sizable reversal of atherosclerosis. To make real progress towards reversal of atherosclerosis, macrophage cells must be made resistant to the aged environment, enabling these cells to continue their beneficial maintenance of blood vessels as they did in youth. ...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Medicine, Biotech, Research Source Type: blogs