By Fight Aging Site Team

The endothelium is that single monolayer of cells that lines every blood vessel in our bodies. Just two to three decades ago, the endothelium was thought to be there only to make things slippery. Studies on cholesterol lowering drugs and some anti hypertensive drugs were showing greater than expected benefits. This led to the discovery of the role of the endothelium in hypertension, stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, plaque formation and many other conditions like retinopathy and nephropathy.

The Endothelium is now considered as the ‘largest organ’ of the body. In a 70 kg man, the total vascular surface is equal to six tennis courts. The number of cells in the Endothelium is more than one trillion. The weight of the endothelium is around 1800 grams which is more than the weight of the liver.

The endothelium secretes a vasodilatory (dilation of blood vessels) cascade of chemicals which maintain good health. The star player of this cascade is Nitric Oxide, an amazing molecule.

“There are few discoveries with the magnitude of the impact that NO has had on biology during the 25 years since its discovery.” 1

“As a signaling molecule, physiological levels of NO stimulate glucose uptake as well as glucose and fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle, heart, liver and adipose tissue; inhibit the synthesis of glucose, glycogen, and fat in target tissues (e.g., liver and adipose); and enhance lipolysis in adipocytes.” [2]

When the endothelium is being damaged due to metabolic and other causes, it secretes a vasoconstrictory (narrowing of blood vessels) cascade of chemicals which also increase clotting and stickiness of blood. The vasoconstrictory cascade also results in deposition of cholesterol, plaque formation in the arteries and thickening of the smooth muscles of the arteries. The vasoconstrictory cascade thus leads to Hypertension, Heart Disease, Brain disorders and aggravates the pathological complications of Diabetes like retinopathy (eye damage) and nephropathy (kidney damage). The situation where the vasoconstrictory response is dominating is called ‘Endothelial Dysfunction’. Age, oxidative stress, high cholesterol, smoking, stress, hypertension, diabetes and sedentary lifestyles aggravate Endothelial Dysfunction(ED) and also Erectile Dysfunction (also called ED).

We can thus see that Endothelial Dysfunction has far reaching consequences which cause multi organ degeneration (seen in Aging). The genetic aging process is separate and progresses with chronological aging. Aging process can be aggravated by these multi organ diseases.

Exercise improves Nitric Oxide in the Endothelium and helps to restore good health. In response to exercise, the endothelium secretes more Nitric Oxide (using Arginine an amino acid) , thereby causing dilation of the blood vessels. Simultaneously, other chemicals of the cascade will reduce the thickness (or stickiness of red blood cells) of blood and also the clotting tendencies. Nitric Oxide in the endothelium reduces inflammation in the arteries. When Nitric Oxide is improved for long periods, cholesterol deposits are reduced and even the elasticity of blood vessels improves. All this means greater supply of oxygen and nutrition to the heart muscles and also reduced work load for the heart. Improvement in endothelial function is associated with reduction of Erectile Dysfunction. (Viagra acts by preventing breakdown of Nitric Oxide in penile tissue).

Arginine is prescribed by many Physicians to hypertension patients for improving endothelial function along with other medications. In the past few years, Bodybuilders have started using Arginine supplements to improve blood flow and supply of nutrition to muscles. Arginine is reported to be required for the anabolic action of Testosterone [3]. Egg and Whey protein are good sources of Arginine. Many anti hypertensive medications and cholesterol lowering drugs also improve endothelial function.

Once again, exercise is emerging as a key element in struggle to fight aging and stay young. We urge all members to include exercise as the most important part of their lives. It will also help you to maintain a healthy sexual performance, right up to old age. What are we waiting for?

Let’s start exercising to ‘Fight Aging and Stay Young’.

References:

1. Yetik- Anacak G et al, Vascul Pharmacol. 2006; 45(5):268-76
2. Jobgen WS et al, J Nutr Biochem. 2006; 17(9):571-88
3. Cremades A et al, J Endocrinol. 2004; 183(2):343-51

Fight Aging Site team has taken maximum care to ensure that the information is authentic. The information has been extracted from published medical trials and text books. The information is not meant to substitute a Physicians advice, nor is it meant to treat any disease. Members are advised to consult a Physician, Dietician, Physiotherapist or Trainer before taking medication or commencing an exercise program.

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