衰老引发的糖萼损伤与血管功能障碍

Aging-Induced Endothelial Glycocalyx Alteration and Vascular Dysfunction

血管内皮糖萼(endothelial glycocalyx,EG)是位于血管内表面的一层多糖蛋白复合结构,其损伤与动脉粥样硬化、中风、脓毒症、糖尿病、肾脏疾病、高血压、肺水肿等诸多疾病存在关联。基于此,糖萼的健康程度已被列为评估血管健康的重要指标。研究表明,衰老会伴随糖萼发生退行性改变,体现在其厚度变薄、合成及降解相关酶基因水平的失调等方面。作为血管的天然保护性屏障,衰老引发的糖萼损伤与血管舒缩功能受损、通透性增大、炎症及免疫反应失调、凝血/抗凝功能失衡等存在关联。从“结构决定功能”角度出发,开展衰老过程中糖萼厚度、成分、微观结构、力学特性等变化规律及其与血管功能障碍的相关性研究,对于预防、诊断、治疗动脉粥样硬化等年龄相关性心血管疾病具有重要意义。

The endothelial glycocalyx(EG)is a polyglycoprotein complex present on the internal vascular surface,and its impairment is associated with the progression of multiple diseases,including atherosclerosis,stroke,sepsis,diabetes,kidney disease,hypertension,and lung edema.Therefore,glycocalyx health can be used as a biomarker to evaluate vascular health.Aging leads to dysfunctional changes in the glycocalyx;for example,its thickness decreases,and the genes of enzymes involved in its synthesis and digestion are dysregulated.As a natural barrier to the vascular system,age-related glycocalyx disruption is associated with vascular dysfunction,including impairment of vascular contraction and dilation,enhancement of permeability,dysregulation of inflammatory and immune reactions,and imbalance of anticoagulation and thrombin.From the perspective of‘structure determines function’studies on the changing regularity of the thickness,components,microstructure,and mechanical properties of EG with aging and its relationship with vascular dysfunction are of great significance for the prevention,diagnosis,and treatment of atherosclerosis and other age-related cardiovascular diseases.